NYers are gathering outside. Period. Just telling people to stop won’t work. Shaming won't work.
Instead we need to give people clear guidance on the coronavirus risks of different types of outdoor gatherings. And we need to explain how those risks can be minimized. 1/
Instead we need to give people clear guidance on the coronavirus risks of different types of outdoor gatherings. And we need to explain how those risks can be minimized. 1/
At this point it should go without saying (though unfortunately it still does need saying): WEAR A MASK. Avoid handshakes and hugs. Wash your hands regularly, or use sanitizer as plan b. And if you are sick or have been exposed, stay home. 2/
We know that outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor gatherings. But at a time when there are still 300-400 new coronavirus cases per day in NYC, there is risk in any social interaction. Here is how you can understand and minimize that risk for 8 different outdoor activities: 3/
Gathering outside of a bar
==> What’s risky: People don’t tend to wear masks while drinking. Lots of loud, close talking. Crowd not moving so you are near people for extended time.
==> How to minimize the risk: Keep your mask on as much as possible. Keep 6ft apart. 4/
==> What’s risky: People don’t tend to wear masks while drinking. Lots of loud, close talking. Crowd not moving so you are near people for extended time.
==> How to minimize the risk: Keep your mask on as much as possible. Keep 6ft apart. 4/
Protests
==> What’s risky: Hard to keep 6 ft apart, some don’t wear masks (e.g. police!), lots of chanting
==> How to minimize the risk: Stay with a defined circle of friends, make sure your mask fully covers your nose/mouth/chin, BYO supplies like water (so as not to share). 5/
==> What’s risky: Hard to keep 6 ft apart, some don’t wear masks (e.g. police!), lots of chanting
==> How to minimize the risk: Stay with a defined circle of friends, make sure your mask fully covers your nose/mouth/chin, BYO supplies like water (so as not to share). 5/
Playgrounds
==> What’s risky: lots of touching of surfaces, potentially tight crowds, kids will not social distance
==> How to minimize the risk: don't go in if too crowded, have kids wear masks (though for toddlers it’s probably counterproductive), keep 6ft from other adults. 6/
==> What’s risky: lots of touching of surfaces, potentially tight crowds, kids will not social distance
==> How to minimize the risk: don't go in if too crowded, have kids wear masks (though for toddlers it’s probably counterproductive), keep 6ft from other adults. 6/
BBQ/picnic
==> What’s risky: Can be lots of common touching of serving utensils, plates, cups etc. Hard to keep masks on while eating/drinking.
==> How to minimize: Plan a meal without shared items (e.g. dips, chips etc). Use individual condiment packs. Set chairs 6ft apart. 7/
==> What’s risky: Can be lots of common touching of serving utensils, plates, cups etc. Hard to keep masks on while eating/drinking.
==> How to minimize: Plan a meal without shared items (e.g. dips, chips etc). Use individual condiment packs. Set chairs 6ft apart. 7/
Walk, run, bike with a friend
==> What’s risky: Not much.
==> How to minimize risk: Try to keep 6 ft apart (not always possible), try to keep mask on (yes it’s tough while breathing heavily) 8/
==> What’s risky: Not much.
==> How to minimize risk: Try to keep 6 ft apart (not always possible), try to keep mask on (yes it’s tough while breathing heavily) 8/
Group sports
==> What’s risky: physical contact and heavy breathing/yelling in close range. Spectators close together and yelling.
==> How to minimize the risk: Wear masks as tough as it is. Have water/soap for constant handwashing. Keep spectators few and spread out. 9/
==> What’s risky: physical contact and heavy breathing/yelling in close range. Spectators close together and yelling.
==> How to minimize the risk: Wear masks as tough as it is. Have water/soap for constant handwashing. Keep spectators few and spread out. 9/
Going to the beach
==> What’s risky: Crowds on the sand. Lots of common surfaces in bathrooms.
==> How to minimize the risk: Keep strict distance on sand from those not in your household. Move around (swim/walk/run). Go to the bathroom before arriving at the beach. 10/
==> What’s risky: Crowds on the sand. Lots of common surfaces in bathrooms.
==> How to minimize the risk: Keep strict distance on sand from those not in your household. Move around (swim/walk/run). Go to the bathroom before arriving at the beach. 10/
Sidewalk cafe
==> What’s risky: Touching reused items like menus and salt shakers. Close, sustained contact with people at your table.
==> How to minimize the risk: Keep your group small. Don’t congregate inside, including in bathroom line. Keep mask on when not eating. 11/
==> What’s risky: Touching reused items like menus and salt shakers. Close, sustained contact with people at your table.
==> How to minimize the risk: Keep your group small. Don’t congregate inside, including in bathroom line. Keep mask on when not eating. 11/
Finally, remember that everyone who is out and about should get tested regularly. And if you test positive take the call from the contact tracer, who will connect you with medical attention and will help protect people in your circle who may have been exposed. 12/
To recap: The outdoor gathering genie is out of the bottle. Just telling people not to gather in groups is not realistic. Let’s give people tools to understand the real risks—whether it’s a picnic or a protest—and tell them how to make it safer. That’s a strategy that works.13/13
