Thread by @giselegordon

1/Make the lockdowns count. There is no acceptable number of deaths.
Just published: COVID-19, Get to Zero, Save Lives
Huge thanks to contributors @GosiaGasperoPhD, @caruzycki & @TehseenLadha
Full article & footnotes here: link.medium.com/VTl0vHVT8fb
Loooong thread below:

2/Any country or region can eliminate #COVID-19 with an action plan to reduce community spread until there are zero cases. Over two dozen countries & some of Canada’s Northern Territories and Atlantic Provinces already have successfully eliminated, or almost eliminated, COVID-19.

3/●Zero Covid is an action plan to eliminate community transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) region by region
●Zero Covid is eliminating SARS-CoV-2 in a region or country until there is zero community transmission in that region.

4/●Zero Covid is more than flattening the curve -- that can result in a temporary reduction in cases and then exponential growth when restrictions are lifted too soon.
●Outbreaks are stopped immediately. If new travel-related cases occur: test, trace, isolate & support asap.

5/●Just like how one glowing ember left in a campfire can start a forest fire, it only takes one COVID-19 case to start a new outbreak.
●Living with COVID-19 in the world is a reality for now. Living with COVID-19 in communities or countries is a choice. We can stop this.

6/●If we follow the current path of “lite” lockdowns and re-opening before we get to zero community transmission, we could have more waves of COVID-19 well into the future.
●COVID-19 elimination creates the best outcomes for health, the economy, and civil liberties

7/●The majority of current COVID-19 cases in Canada are now variants of concern (VOCs): more contagious and/or more dangerous & possibly more resistant to current treatment and vaccines.
●50% to 80% of people with COVID-19 continue to have symptoms three months after the onset

8/●Vaccines are a crucial part of the solution, but we also need to stop the virus from spreading further & mutating into potentially even more dangerous and vaccine resistant VOCs.
●Not going for Zero Covid means a devastating toll on the physical and mental health of Cdns

9/●Not eliminating community transmission of COVID-19 is inequitable. Those living in low-income neighbourhoods, those with precarious housing, Indigenous communities, and racialized communities, many of whom are essential workers, are most at risk.

10/●Over 24k Canadians and over 3m people worldwide have died from COVID-19. Taiwan, with ⅔ of our population, has had only 12 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. Many countries with Zero Covid have not seen a third wave. Some have not even had a second wave

11/Leaders Can:
●Adopt a proactive Zero Covid Strategy that responds to accurate data and current science with a goal of COVID-19 elimination and communicate it clearly to the public.
●Implement science-informed public health measures such as test, trace, isolate, and support

12/●When they are needed, implement lockdowns with a goal to eliminate, rather than reduce, community transmission. Lockdown length should vary according to regional case numbers and rates of transmission and they should always be financially supported.

13/●During lockdowns, only truly essential indoor workplaces, should remain open with strict COVID-19 safety measures to prevent all modes of transmission, especially airborne.
●Essential workers shld have access to vaccines, adequate PPE and paid sick days.

14/●Update standards for air filtration & ventilation in shared indoor spaces to increase air changes/hr using protocols that reflect current science on transmission.
●Implement effective measures to stop transmission at borders, including rapid testing & managed quarantine.

15/●Leaders can also support other regions and countries in their efforts to eliminate COVID-19. The more regions and countries that implement Zero Covid, the safer everyone will be.

16/Individuals can:
●Avoid being with people outside of your household indoors unless it is for essential work.
●If required to work with others, avoid taking breaks and eating with coworkers in enclosed spaces. Stagger breaks and eat lunch outdoors.

17/●If you must be indoors with people from outside your household, maximize ventilation and air exchange by all means possible, including opening all windows and doors, using HEPA air purifiers, extraction fans, upgraded HVAC systems, & monitoring of CO2 levels

18/●Wear a KN95, N95, or equiv mask. Fit it well with no gaps: breathe through it, not around it.
●When purchasing items, use delivery or pick up items curbside *outside* of the store.

19/•Contact your federal, provincial and municipal representatives and ask them to support Zero Covid
•Sign these open letters to get to Zero Covid Canada:
zerocovidcanada.org/take-action.
briarpatchmagazine.com/articles/view/…

20/RESOURCES:
Canada’s Federal COVID-19 Resource Page covid19resources.ca
Masks, efficacy and where to source them in Canada masks4canada.org
Updates on Data for every region in Canada COVID19Tracker.ca

21/Vaccines, how to get one (in Canada): vaccinehunters.ca
Vaccines, questions answered: on zoom or phone-in options daily from 8-10pm EST
covid19resources.ca/public/discuss…

22/National: zerocovidcanada.org
Quebec: covid-stop.ca
BC Coalition COVID Zero Backgrounder: notion.so/COVID-Zero-Bac…
Alberta: go4zero.ca
International: endcoronavirus.org

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