Thread by @firefoxx66

I'm chilled by the news today that Switzerland is speeding up #COVID19 #SARSCoV2 reopening, a mere 3 days after 'phase 1' of reopening - & still with no details on scaling up #TestTraceIsolate.

I see no public health reason why the urgency to move up reopening.

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Evidence is increasing that microdroplets - which can circulate in air much further than 2 meters - may be an important mode of transmission. This means enclosed spaces full of people, with poor air exchange, may be possible transmission hubs for #COVID19 #SARSCoV2

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Therefore we need to be extra-cautious about any enclosed space - restaurants (even if 2m separated) & gyms (with heavy breathing) seem potential high-risks to me.

Meanwhile, zoos & botanical gardens - outside, where air quickly carries droplets away - will remain closed.

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Without a scale-up of testing, we could have a 'silent outbreak' among people who have mild or no symptoms, & may not know it's happening until people are in hospital & case numbers are high.

And, we even haven't had time to evaluate phase 1 - it only just started.

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We've managed to get cases down in Switzerland without a complete lockdown. We've done a 'rewind' to earlier in the epidemic, when containing cases are easier.

But if we aren't careful, we could now take a slightly different route to the same ending - thousands dead.

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I am disappointed to hear the news today that Switzerland wishes to rush this re-opening. I imagine many scientists are similarly dismayed.

I hope in the next few days to hear, in detail, that #TestTraceIsolate is being scaled up at full force, to best protect everyone.

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