Thread by @DearPandemic

1/ Q: I keep hearing about a move towards a "harm reduction" phase of the #pandemic response. What does this mean?

A: The article linked below defines it as policies and practices designed to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of a particular activity."

2/ Some examples of #publichealth harm reduction programs are needle exchange programs, where individuals using injected drugs can exchange used needles for clean ones. This lowers incidence of infections for which needle reuse increases risk of transmission.

3/ The emphasis is on reducing harm caused by something when it cannot be prevented entirely.

4/
With the push for states to re-open, we are seeing a shift away from staying at home and towards strategies that will reduce peoples' risk of infection when they do go back to work, school, child care centers, parks, restaurants, bars, etc.

5/
These strategies will, not only lower individuals' risk of infection, but complement our other public health tools: #testing, #contracttracing, quarantine and #isolation.
Together, they can help prevent large outbreaks as coronavirus continues to circulate in most areas.

6/ We #nerdygirls will help you navigate the latest science-backed recommendations for reducing your risk of infection in various settings/scenarios as we enter this new phase.👍

Read more about #COVID19 harm reduction here: theglobeandmail.com/amp/canada/art…