Thread by @danamlewis

I’ve been personally watching the information about #COVID19 for over a month and a half, and expecting it to come to my doorstep. It’s now here, as predicted, so I wanted to share some of what I’m personally able to choose to do & why, with regards to individual protection.

First: why discuss individual protection? I am living with type 1 diabetes (although I am in low-risk age group (CFR 0.2%)). Diabetes is CFR of 7.3%. While that may be heavily skewed by age, and also includes T2D, it is logical that risk with T1D is higher for every age group.

(Side note - I’m keenly interested in getting breakdown of comorbidity CFR data for #COVID19 by age group, as are many other people - so if you find a source for that, please do share! It will be quite useful for assessing individual risk.)

Three pertinent facts to my individual situation:

1) I use a closed loop that manages blood sugar levels quite well, therefore the CFR observed in populations with diabetes (even if segmented type 1/type 2 diabetes and/or age) may not reflect my risk.

2) However, I still tend to catch more colds/flu/etc than most people

3) New estimates are not that #COVID19 has been transmitting in my community for 2-3 weeks..but...6 weeks.

See:

https://twitter.com/trvrb/status/1233970559257468928?s=20

So: I do consider myself to be higher risk than many of those around me, and those of my age group, and I am taking more precautions as a result. And I've been taking these before we realized it was spreading

These include:

A) I’m married to & share household with @scottleibrand, which means he’s part of the plan for limiting possible transmission between us, as well as from outside world.

He went on a work day-trip to Santa Clara on 2/26..when first community transmission case was announced there.

Upon return, he immediately began self-isolation: sleeping in our guest bedroom and using the guest bathroom. We are attempting to keep a 6ft distance and wipe down the one shared/overlapping space (kitchen area) in our apartment.

Why self-isolation like this? To have time to watch for potential symptoms (whether that’s #COVID19 or a cold or anything else) before we interact, in order to cut down on close-contact transmission that otherwise might be likely to occur.

B) In addition to self-isolation of each of us from each other, we are also social distancing from the outside world. We are not going out to eat at restaurants, we are both working from home (my usual, but WFH is not @scottleibrand’s usual), etc.

If we do go out for a walk/run/bike ride, or a necessary trip to the grocery store, upon return to the house we immediately wash hands with soap and water. (And if we are about to eat at home, or have been in the shared kitchen space, we wash our hands).

However, for the near-term, @scottleibrand will be the delegate from our house to go to the grocery store etc. to limit my additional exposure - and he’ll continue proactively hand washing etc. when returning to the house to help prevent transmission from any potential exposure.

I’m getting my regular activity by going for walks and runs on the trail near our house, but being cautious there as well: if someone passes me from behind, I slow down and let them pass more quickly and get out of droplet range (~6ft, plus accounting for wind).

C ) Within another few days, if @scottleibrand has not developed any symptoms, we will end self-isolation within our house, but continue social distancing outside, as there are many #COVID19 cases being reported in our community.

Especially in light of

https://twitter.com/trvrb/status/1233970271318503426?s=20

Full self-isolation between household members or social distancing may not be feasible for everyone, but if you are part of a group (age or chronic illness etc.) who is at higher risk of infection, here are some things to talk about with household/close contacts and loved ones:

Until #CoEpi is built, be proactive about sharing your symptoms and timeline of symptoms with the rest of your household and loved ones, so everyone can be more proactive about self-isolation (when possible) and also increasing hand-washing, surface cleaning, etc. behaviors.

If you live alone, think about grocery delivery (or order-ahead so the grocery order can be deposited in your car at a curbside pickup) options to limit your interactions and exposure possibilities at the grocery store.

Also if you live alone, if you do develop mild symptoms, have a contact who can check on you every day and even agree to deliver any needed groceries or supplies to your doorstep, to minimize you needing to go out.

If you share a household, someone at less risk could be delegate for errands or grocery store and supply runs. Have a plan for how someone sick would self-isolate at home, and transmission-reducing measures like paper towels rather than cloth towels after hand washing.

While most (estimated 80%) are likely to have mild illness, many people you know/love/care for are at higher risk for higher severity illness. Protection measures you take to protect yourself, your household, your loved ones? Those also protect me and the community around you.

That goes for getting flu shot too: it’s not too late to get flu shot. Flu shot means that if you do get flu=>likely to be more mild, which means not competing with same resources needed for severe #COVID19 cases at same time, or getting COVID while hospitalized for flu.

TLDR things you can do to help? Increased handwashing alone will make a significant difference in cutting down transmission of #COVID19, colds, the flu, etc.

Take this seriously.

Washing your hands -> reduce or eliminate a chain of transmission -> you can help save a life.