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8 Nov, 4 tweets, 1 min read
Great question. Complicated answer. We know distancing and wearing masks work to prevent the spread of this virus. In the schools that do this conscientiously, even if not perfectly, we’re generally mot having problems. But, I think the community spread is getting so high, and
with the emergence of the
normal respiratory and influenza viruses, I am getting concerned and watching the school data carefully. I fear we could see a change in the transmission characteristics. I am getting to the point of considering whether we are getting to the point that
all extra-curricular activities that can’t be conducted virtually may need to be paused. I am particularly agonizing over kids in special education and those with mask exemptions. For right now, I think I can say for the moment, yes, but if things continue to get worse, my answer
could be totally different.

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Dr. David Pate Profile picture
8 Nov
Idaho - I doubt you are listening, but I have to say this. No matter how bad you thought we were or were not in the past, we are way worse today. We have levels of community transmission that most of us could not even have imagined a few months ago, when we thought it was bad
then. We are at an average new cases per day of 55.5 per 100,000. That is shocking. (Ideal would be less than 1; I would settle for <5). I am warning you. We are not far away from the point that we will have no choice but to take actions you don’t want our leaders to take. I am
shocked that we have 320 COVID patients hospitalized in Idaho. I remember when we had 71 patients hospitalized and we were wondering whether we might have to set up a field hospital. We have 90 patients with COVID in the ICU. That is more than 4 times the number we had at the
Read 6 tweets
Dr. David Pate Profile picture
8 Nov
Hi Tyler,
Good questions. We use 6 feet based on studies that were done long ago that attempt to identify just how far droplets can be transmitted under normal speaking and with speaking loudly or coughing. There is nothing magical about 6 feet. It is a good guideline, but I
don’t know that your risk is materially different if you are standing 5’11” away from someone who is infected or 6’1”. However, there seems little doubt that your risk is greater at 3’ than 6’. So it is a guideline. I encourage people when you can even more than 6’ do so,
especially if there will be yelling, cheering, shouting or singing. All of these activities can probably propel droplets even more than 6’. But, for public health purposes, we have to come up with a number that everyone can use and 6’ seems to be a reasonable choice based on the
Read 4 tweets
Dr. David Pate Profile picture
6 Nov
Hi Thom. First of all, thank you for contributing to the successful election and for volunteering your time. Second, I am sorry that those charged with making the elections safe did not do everything possible to keep our poll workers safe.
So, since you were in a high risk
risk situation and I am assuming that you had to interact with many of these people at a distance of less than 6 feet, I would recommend (but it is not required) that you quarantine for 14 days and monitor for symptoms. I would not get a test unless you develop symptoms. Getting
a negative test now would not rule out that you might become infected. The good news is that you took all possible precautions and this had a good chance of preventing you from becoming infected, and even if you do get infected, there is a study to suggest that if you get
Read 4 tweets
Dr. David Pate Profile picture
6 Nov
I understand how this is confusing. Hopefully, this will help.
1. Infected people isolate for at least 10 days. That is based on when we believe most people recover and are less likely to infect others (note, we recommend double that for people who were hospitalized and there is
no guarantee a person will not be contagious after 10 days.
2. People who are exposed quarantine and do so for 14 days. The reason for this is the incubation period is 2-14 days. In someone already symptomatic and infected, they have already passed the incubation period, so while
it seems counterintuitive, someone exposed must stay in seclusion longer than someone who is already infected.
3. Your friend was given incorrect information. Unfortunately, one can test negative, but be infectious or become infectious and returning prior to the 14 days puts in
Read 4 tweets
Dr. David Pate Profile picture
6 Nov
Oh, I am so sorry. I know this is scary and concerning. Just know that the doctors and nurses at @StLukesHealth are the best. I have trusted them with the care of me, my wife, my daughter and my grandchildren. Not only do they provide great care, but great caring. My advice is:
1. If your mother is not able to make health care decisions for herself, hopefully, she has filled out an advance directive and appointed someone to make health care decisions on her behalf.
2. This is a good time to recommend to all of my followers that you, too, should fill out
advance directives, even if you are still young and healthy. There are tragic things that can happen, and it is a gift to your family to have a discussion with them ahead of time as to what you would want if you are unable to make decisions for yourself.
3. If your mom does have
Read 7 tweets
Dr. David Pate Profile picture
6 Nov
So, roommate must isolate for at least 10 days after the date of his test if he is asymptomatic or 10 days after the onset of symptoms if he was symptomatic. But, if he is not afebrile for at least a day without fever reducing medications at 10 days, he should continue to isolate
until he is. He also should not end his isolation until his symptoms are significantly improved. On the other hand, you need to quarantine for 14 days. After the 14 days, you can move back in with roommate assuming he has been able to terminate his isolation according to the
guidelines I stated above. Nevertheless, it is not clear how long a person will shed the virus after infection, so be careful not to share drinks, food, utensils, etc. and be careful about cleaning and disinfecting frequently. If it is possible not to share a bathroom, that would
Read 5 tweets

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