Helpful thread by @maiamajumder on merging bubbles. However 2 measures she lists for protection (hand washing, masks) aren't most important issue. The #1 issue is: do people in each bubble have sustained (minutes) close (<2m) contact w/ other people, especially indoors.
S thread
S thread
Transmission of COVID19 via infected surfaces is so rare, one can list all the cases where it was likely mode of transmission (). Focus on handwashing is red herring & should stop. Far more important is spending time near other people, especially indoors.
Masks help, but again, spending long periods of time indoors w/ people outside your bubble, even with masks is risky (). #1 question I'd ask before merging bubble: When you meet people you don't live with, do you do it outside, with 2m+ distance?
Adding a mask also helpful, and masks are very helpful any time one has to be near public: grocery shopping, public transportation, etc. But most transmission is via social interactions so how those are done is most important.
Key message: meet outdoors, give space, wear a mask.
Key message: meet outdoors, give space, wear a mask.
