Many Americans are starting to experiment with re-entering society. As a doctor, I’m getting questions from well-meaning folks asking which activities/behaviors are acceptable, less risky, etc.
Here's a quick FAQ. Feel free to share with anyone who might find it useful...(1/15)
Here's a quick FAQ. Feel free to share with anyone who might find it useful...(1/15)
First, a quick disclaimer: This is not official medical advice. While I am an ER doc, I’m not *your* doctor and cannot diagnose or prescribe anything without seeing or knowing you :) The following is based on the consensus of the scientific community.
OK, here we go... (2/15)
OK, here we go... (2/15)
Are beaches & parks safe? Do I need a mask? Can I swim in ocean?
Parks safe as long as maintain 6ft. Wear mask to protect others you come into contact with. Swimming in ocean should be safe. Some data suggest presence of coronavirus in sewage, but unlikely to affect you. (3/15)
Parks safe as long as maintain 6ft. Wear mask to protect others you come into contact with. Swimming in ocean should be safe. Some data suggest presence of coronavirus in sewage, but unlikely to affect you. (3/15)
Is it OK to swim in pools with others, since they have chlorine?
The water itself should not be a risk, but you still must maintain 6 feet distance from others. (4/15)
The water itself should not be a risk, but you still must maintain 6 feet distance from others. (4/15)
What precautions would you advise before getting haircut in a salon?
Ensure all individuals in salon are wearing masks. Hairdresser should wear gloves. Wash or sanitize hands after touching any surface, exchanging credit cards or money & upon exiting the establishment. (5/15)
Ensure all individuals in salon are wearing masks. Hairdresser should wear gloves. Wash or sanitize hands after touching any surface, exchanging credit cards or money & upon exiting the establishment. (5/15)
Restaurants?
Dining-in poses unique risk of aerosol spread w/ sustained exposure in confined space. We don't know airflow patterns, so disparate spread possible. If ALL in restaurant wear masks, surfaces cleaned regularly & wash hands regularly, risk reduced but not zero. (6/15)
Dining-in poses unique risk of aerosol spread w/ sustained exposure in confined space. We don't know airflow patterns, so disparate spread possible. If ALL in restaurant wear masks, surfaces cleaned regularly & wash hands regularly, risk reduced but not zero. (6/15)
What about outdoor dining?
With ubiquitous mask wearing & 6ft distancing, outdoor dining is a much safer option than dining inside restaurants. I would not dine-in restaurants, personally. But each person needs to determine their own desire for risk aversion. (7/15)
With ubiquitous mask wearing & 6ft distancing, outdoor dining is a much safer option than dining inside restaurants. I would not dine-in restaurants, personally. But each person needs to determine their own desire for risk aversion. (7/15)
Are golf & tennis OK as long as we observe social distancing?
Yes, but you should not do it with those outside your household contacts. For tennis, bring your own balls. Abundance of caution would be to sanitize/wash balls after use, and frequent hand washing/sanitizing. (8/15)
Yes, but you should not do it with those outside your household contacts. For tennis, bring your own balls. Abundance of caution would be to sanitize/wash balls after use, and frequent hand washing/sanitizing. (8/15)
My office is reopening & I have to go to work now. What do you advise I do to stay safe?
Ensure that ALL individuals are wearing masks. Ensure that cleaning is thorough & regular. Wash/sanitize hands regularly. Maintain 6 ft distance at all times.
(9/15)
Ensure that ALL individuals are wearing masks. Ensure that cleaning is thorough & regular. Wash/sanitize hands regularly. Maintain 6 ft distance at all times.
(9/15)
Upon re-entering society, are cloth masks going to be enough since we’ll likely now be closer to others than before?
Cloth masks should adequately protect the wearer from spreading to others. They must be washed daily & hands sanitized after removing from face. (10/15)
Cloth masks should adequately protect the wearer from spreading to others. They must be washed daily & hands sanitized after removing from face. (10/15)
Why don't we try to get "herd immunity," as we wait for vaccine?
50-70% would have to be infected, or 165m Americans. Even with lowest case-fatality rate, that's 990K deaths. If happen in concentrated areas over short periods, hospitals would likely become overwhelmed. (11/15)
50-70% would have to be infected, or 165m Americans. Even with lowest case-fatality rate, that's 990K deaths. If happen in concentrated areas over short periods, hospitals would likely become overwhelmed. (11/15)
What is “test & trace”?
When someone tests positive for contagious illness, you determine who came into close contact & may also be at risk. Then you might test and/or quarantine those folks, to control the illness's spread. More info here👇 (12/15)
When someone tests positive for contagious illness, you determine who came into close contact & may also be at risk. Then you might test and/or quarantine those folks, to control the illness's spread. More info here👇 (12/15)
Meat packing & food processing are big employers. What can they do to keep workers safer?
Testing of all employees at regular intervals. Masks should be worn by all employees. And 6 feet distance maintained. There should also be hand-washing & sanitizing stations. (13/15)
Testing of all employees at regular intervals. Masks should be worn by all employees. And 6 feet distance maintained. There should also be hand-washing & sanitizing stations. (13/15)
Need mask every time walk outside? Or just enclosed space like grocery store?
Bring it in case you get into situation where 6ft distancing impossible. Masks always necessary in enclosed space like grocery store. Wouldn't go into store where anyone is not wearing one. (14/15)
Bring it in case you get into situation where 6ft distancing impossible. Masks always necessary in enclosed space like grocery store. Wouldn't go into store where anyone is not wearing one. (14/15)
Will it be OK to gather in smaller groups once things re-open?
If 6ft distancing & masks worn, yes. Theoretically, if everyone in group tested regularly, distancing & mask use could be relaxed. But we're not close to having enough tests to test asymptomatic individuals. (15/15)
If 6ft distancing & masks worn, yes. Theoretically, if everyone in group tested regularly, distancing & mask use could be relaxed. But we're not close to having enough tests to test asymptomatic individuals. (15/15)
