1. Coronavirus Absolutism
NYT: "There is a new absolutist health fad: the discouragement — or even prohibition — of any behavior that seems to increase the risk of coronavirus infection, even minutely."
Notice the idiocy of famed educational institutions.
NYT: "There is a new absolutist health fad: the discouragement — or even prohibition — of any behavior that seems to increase the risk of coronavirus infection, even minutely."
Notice the idiocy of famed educational institutions.
2. There are two big questions to ask about these actions: How much are they doing to reduce the spread of the virus? And do they have any downside?
The answer to the first question, according to many experts, is: They seem to do little good.
The answer to the first question, according to many experts, is: They seem to do little good.
3. Prohibiting outdoor activity is unlikely to reduce the spread of the virus, nor is urging people always to wear a mask outdoors.
Worldwide, scientists have not documented any instances of outdoor transmission unless people were in close conversation.
Worldwide, scientists have not documented any instances of outdoor transmission unless people were in close conversation.
https://twitter.com/mugecevik/status/1359573972594151431?s=20
4. Simplest advice to avoid an infection: “Avoid breathing the air that other people exhale.”
A student walking across campus, let alone a masked student, presents little risk to another student who remains at least six feet away. The same goes for joggers in your neighborhood.
A student walking across campus, let alone a masked student, presents little risk to another student who remains at least six feet away. The same goes for joggers in your neighborhood.
5. The story is similar for deep cleaning. Scientists increasingly say that there is little to no evidence that contaminated surfaces can spread the virus.
The one surface that is important to wash, frequently and vigorously, is the human hand.
The one surface that is important to wash, frequently and vigorously, is the human hand.
6. Which brings us to the second question — whether there is any downside to absolutism. Covid-19 is a horrible disease. And the notion that a jogger somewhere might infect somebody she passes is scientifically plausible.
So why not take every possible precaution at all times?
So why not take every possible precaution at all times?
7. The short answer is: because we are human.
Taking every possible precaution is unrealistic, just as telling all gay men and teenagers to abstain from sex was unrealistic. Human beings are social creatures who crave connection and who cannot minimize danger at all times.
Taking every possible precaution is unrealistic, just as telling all gay men and teenagers to abstain from sex was unrealistic. Human beings are social creatures who crave connection and who cannot minimize danger at all times.
8. People do not have unlimited energy, so we should ask them to be vigilant where it matters most.
Telling Americans to wear masks when they’re unnecessary undermines efforts to persuade more people to wear masks where they are vital.
Telling Americans to wear masks when they’re unnecessary undermines efforts to persuade more people to wear masks where they are vital.
9. Banning college students from outdoor walks won’t make them stay inside their dorm rooms for weeks on end. But it probably will increase the chances that they surreptitiously gather indoors.
10. Rules that are really more about showing that you’re doing something versus doing something that’s actually effective are counterproductive. Trust is the currency of public health.
The End
The End
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