“Opening UP” with Covid

Summer’s here and we’re all eager to enjoy great weather and more flexible social interactions.  In New Jersey, our sacrifice and effort is working: there is a clear downward trend in new cases, hospitalizations, and, most importantly, deaths from covid 19. However, this is no time for complacency. Despite claims from some public figures, it’s far from “over” and we are nowhere near “business as usual.”  New cases are INCREASING in 24 states, and only a handful of states demonstrate clear decreasing trends. Locally, there are still some pockets of increases.  So assurances by some politicians against a “second wave” are specious–we are really not out of the “first” yet.

Please note that this virus has proven HIGHLY contagious.  Claims from some self serving public figures that this is “the common cold’ or “like the flu” are not born out by science. R0 (“R naught”) for covid is 5.7–each infected person appears likely to spread it to 5.7 others on average; compared to R0 of 1.3 for flu and 3.4 for RSV.  There is evidence that the virus remains infective on many surface for hours. Recent studies suggest that toilet flushing creates a “plume” of aerosol above the bowl–and the virus is almost definitely present in stool and urine–putting the next user at risk.

Still, there are activities that are safer where people are cautious. The greatest risk is indoor gatherings of people in close contact for extended periods. Therefore, I recommend all child gatherings/parties remain outdoors whenever possible. Those with fever or significant cough should not attend.  For outside child play, where ventilation is obviously adequate and constant movement is the norm, facial coverings are less essential. Sitting at a table, maintain “social distance” and wear masks.  However, younger(<4 yrs) or very uncooperative children should not be forced. There is good evidence that children catch and spread covid less due to smaller breaths and less forceful breathing.  The emotional impact of forcing the mask on that child will likely cause the child to at least subconsciously keep touching his face or possibly cry and resist–breathing harder.  Both of those behaviors would only INCREASE the risk of infection.

Regularly clean all table surfaces–I suggest every few minutes if children are sitting there.  This requires proper adult supervision. If food is served, use disposable utensils and plates.

Anyone entering the house should sanitize their hands on entering and wash hands (> 20 seconds) upon leaving. Face masks should be worn by ALL for the ENTIRE time inside. If the bathroom is used, the lid should be lowered BEFORE flushing and surfaces should be sanitized immediately after use. Again, this likely entails close adult supervision. If a public restroom is used, again, I recommend young children be accompanied by a responsible adult. The child only touches “the essentials;” the adult will handle the toilet/flushing and the sink/washing and all other surfaces. Again–MASKS!!

This is not hard.  Taking these steps is no threat to freedom or democracy but rather merely simple, patriotic acts of responsible citizens showing concern for their friends and neighbors in their community. And you might just save your or a loved one’s life.

So be safe, have fun, and thanks for following.

Wear Your Mask(please)!

My (hopefully) biggest fan and simultaneously toughest critic (accurately so!)–Mrs. Kim Geneslaw–has recommended that I discuss mask wearing. Would I argue with my wife?

Firstly, there are different levels of facial coverings, from simple scarves, to surgical masks (either disposable paper fiber or washable cloth), to “N-95” masks–built to filter out > 95% of particulate matter. These are necessary for medical situations like my office and, more importantly, hospital ER’s and OR’s; require proper sizing and donning technique. This type of mask does offer the wearer good protection from inhaling infectious “aerosols” floating in the air.  For most people this is not available and, fortunately, not really necessary.

Most people are fine with a simple surgical mask of whichever design. These non-fitted products offer only limited protection to the wearer from inhaling infectious agents.  However they are very effective at blocking secretions from the wearer from escaping into the air around him/her due to sneezing, coughing, or even just talking loudly. Thus they are very useful for us to keep our CONTACTS safe from ourselves.  A coarse, but accurate, comparison would be to consider a world of incontinent people walking around.  If nobody wears pants, everybody gets peed on.  If I put my pants on(thank goodness!) I could get peed on but I will not pee on the next guy.  If everybody wears pants(whew!), nobody has to deal with the next guy’s pee (of course, some distance keeps the pee away, too!)

That is why the WHO now recommends that all people, and in particular those >60 years or with chronic health problems, wear masks in public situations. Outdoors without close quarters is not essential (suburban vs busy city streets, for example). We know that those COVID infected are contagious 2-3 days before symptoms start. Many infected people never get sick.  So one cannot KNOW if one is contagious and likely will not KNOW if your contacts are higher risk. The argument that people at risk can just stay home is specious–many can not, and what caring person wants to be responsible for someone–a loved one OR a stranger– in that situation?

It’s an easy thing–wearing a mask. Yes– it’s a bit uncomfortable; certainly it’s not foolproof. There are other steps we should take–frequent washing hands, avoid touching one’s face, practice “social distance.”

The President has encouraged us all to approach the pandemic situation as a wartime call to arms to protect out society from this great threat. I appreciate those sentiments. In generations past, our parents and grandparents sacrificed treasure, blood, and lives fighting World Wars to enable us to live safely in a free society. On June 6, “D-Day”, I say we honor the heroes of “the Greatest Generation” by donning our masks to provide some of that protection to our friends and neighbors as recommended by public health experts and in keeping with Mr. Trump’s exhortation to our national conscience.

Wear your mask.  Protect your friends and neighbors.  Your community will be better, safer, and more productive for your small but important sacrifice.

Thanks for following.