Thread by @BMore_Healthy

We've received a lot of questions about the new Executive Orders. We will be issuing more guidance ahead of Friday at 5pm, but many have asked one particular question "Why close indoor and outdoor dining, but not casinos, gyms, and malls?"- A thread #coronavirusbalt

1)First-our COVID-19 case data tells us intervention is required. In July, we were concerned with the rise in cases when our 7-day average was 146 new cases per day and we re-implemented “Phase 1” restrictions.

2) Yesterday, our average was 223 new cases per day.

3) We've reached widespread community transmission in Baltimore City. Take a look at this map. COVID-19 is everywhere, and only 4 zip codes have positivity rates of less than 5%, with multiple zip codes approaching 10% positivity.

4) Widespread community transmission significantly challenges our contact tracing teams to keep up with the number of new cases that are being reported every day. But, we've learned a few things that informed our recommendations for the new Executive Order.

5)Up to 50% of COVID-19 cases in Baltimore City are spread by someone without any symptoms of the coronavirus at all (asymptomatic).

6) The major drivers of COVID-19 spread in Baltimore are
(a) activities that bring groups of people together for prolonged periods of time
(b) an inability or lack of mask-wearing or social distancing,
(c) indoor spaces, specifically those with poor ventilation.

7) To slow the exponential spread of COVID-19, our interventions aim to decrease the number of contacts individuals have during their infectious period. Targeting our interventions to the highest risk activities should provide the biggest reduction in high-risk contacts.

8) While our cases remain higher than they’ve ever been, we have learned that targeted interventions work. In late July, we saw a similar (smaller) rise in cases, and in early Aug, we implemented similar limitations on occupancy and gatherings.

9) A few weeks later, we saw dramatic decreases in new cases throughout late August and early September.

10) Let's talk about risk! Wearing a mask remains one of the most important ways to reduce the chances of disease transmission, it's why there is a mask order that requires residents to wear a face-covering whenever they leave their home. #WearADamnMask

11) Everything that will remain open on Friday at 5pm will require mask-wearing, in addition to reduced occupancy.

12) But our contact tracing data is telling us that activities, where you are
1) stationary for longs periods of time
2) with groups of individuals not in your immediate household
3) in areas with poor ventilation,
4) without a mask or face covering
Are the highest risk.

13) Why close cigar and hookah lounges? Why close indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants?

Because you can't eat and wear a mask at the same time.

You can't drink and wear a face mask at the same time.

You can't smoke hookah or a cigar and wear a mask at the same time.

14) Whether inside or outside, the chances of disease transmission remain high in these settings and are a contributing factor to our case counts.

15) You can, however, wear a face mask and go to a mall or a casino. You can wear a face mask and go to a museum or an aquarium.

16) Under the new Executive Order, beginning Friday, casinos are reduced to 25% occupancy and are prohibited from serving food or beverages to reduce opportunities for the removal of face coverings, which in turn increases the chances of disease spread.

17) Baltimore City has not had to implement such severe restrictions since the very earliest days of the pandemic and the implementation of the stay-at-home order.

18) Unfortunately, with the volume of new cases that we are seeing and the implications it has on hospital utilization, during a period of widespread, community transmission, activities such as eating, drinking, and smoking in close proximity to others, should not continue.

"To do nothing would be the same as conceding defeat to the coronavirus. While part of our goal is to protect our healthcare system from a potential surge, our ultimate goal is to save the lives of City residents"- Baltimore City Health Commissioner @DrTishCommish

Please continue to follow public health guidance to keep yourselves, your loved ones, and your neighbors safe and healthy. Continue to practice social distancing, frequent hand washing, and mask-wearing.

Please reduce activities outside of the home, and avoid activities with others outside of your immediate household.

Be Safe Baltimore. All of this information can be found at coronavirus.baltimorecity.gov.