A: Sadly, not yet. Gyms are tricky environments for infection control. (Reasons why in this thread). If you can afford to do so, MAINTAIN YOUR GYM MEMBERSHIP FEES while taking a break from visits.
Workout equipment is used by multiple people. So they will need to be cleaned before and after each use with an @EPA approved sanitation spray.
Sweating = face touching. Sweat towels are a must, but need to be kept off other surfaces.
3/ Workouts and classes often occur in close proximity to others. Rearranging equipment, providing visual markers, and limiting the number of patrons at a given time could better preserve #Social_Distancing during your workout.
4/ Deep breathing during exercise challenges the efficiency and tolerance of masks.
Wearing a mask during exercise may be required in some gyms when they open. Find a mask that works for you during exercise. 😷
5/ Enclosed spaces without many windows challenge ventilation. Gyms with open floor plans, open windows, or outdoor classes are less risky options.
1/ Q: Has almost everyone been infected with COVID by now?
A: Recent estimates suggest around 58% of the population in the US and over 70% in England have been previously infected, with BIG increases during the Omicron wave.
3/ ➡️ During the Omicron wave from December 2021-February 2022, this estimate increased from 33% to 58%.
➡️ Rates vary a lot by age, ranging from 33.2% for those over age 65 to 75% for those under age 18.
2/ Not likely. If your kids are suddenly getting sick a lot, this is likely due to “catching up” on exposures rather than a weakened immune system.
3/ Many families w/ young kids have been hunkered down for the better part of 2 years– a good % of a young child’s entire life. While isolation had *many* downsides, we can agree that not having to suction snot out of infant noses or clean up norovirus puke was a happy upside.
1/ Q: Are cases peaking? That means it’s all downhill from here, right?
A: Sort of…. Remember that even if cases come down as quickly as they rise, there will be as many cases *after* the peak as before (think area under the curve).
2/ ➡️ And if the downward slope is *slower* than the rise, we will see *more* cases during the decline from a surge.
3/ Burning fast could be a silver lining of super transmissible #Omicron. Cases rose & fell quickly in S. Africa (w/ hospitalizations & deaths still lagging). The UK appears to have turned the Omicron corner. Many US states appear past their peak in cases, w/ regional variation:
Unfortunately, this includes New Year’s Eve plans. The perfect storm of a new variant & holiday get-togethers is hitting communities & health care w/ FORCE! Testing is in short supply.
3/ Health care is under extreme pressure with surging cases. If you can avoid even one additional contact, you are helping. This is a temporary and urgent request (from a health care provider).