🧵I have to say it: Christmas break is going to be bad. I'm watching confirmed #COVID19 cases⬆️ exponentially at our highly-#vaccinated school w/ a #MaskMandate & HEPA filters in every class. Make a plan now for how you'll handle Xmas & #quarantine when someone gets #Omicron.
2/ Think about how you can create a separate space for the person(s) infected. Remember #OmicronIsAirborne. Pick a rm w/ windows to open & its own door if your home allows. Today put a fan there that can be used to improve air exchange. Put a 🌡️, an O2 sat monitor, good masks.
3/ Go get a MERV13 filter for your HVAC at Home Depot or Lowe's or online. While here, get the stuff to build a simple, inexpensive, highly-effective Corsi-Rosenthal box. You can see what this is here. Build it now so it's ready.
https://twitter.com/tmprowell/status/1472411895273504771?s=20
4/ If you have a little microwave or a mini fridge or cooler or something, put those in there too, along w/ food/snacks/rehydrating drinks. The goal is to create a space where the ill person can be as self-sufficient as possible to minimize their need to enter the main space.
5/ Pretend you're going away for a long wknd. Make sure the room has stuff you'd need--basic toiletries, a phone charger, etc. I assure you I am not a prepper (ask @gleeson_md--he'll tell you I pack 45 mins before my flight leaves from a 15 min drive away). You need to prep.
6/ It seems like overkill now, but I promise you when someone tests positive & they will (come back & say hi to me), you'll be delighted to have the #quarantine suite ready to go. Decide who will stay w/ the ill person if it's a kid (or anyone dependent on you) if only 1 is ill.
7/ Get a few rapid tests online (Walmart.com has them now) so you can rapidly determine if anyone else is positive. That may make the above decision simple. Make sure you have good masks for the ill person & others. Get them today.
8/ You don't want to faced with needing to go out to stores when you should be at home in #quarantine due to a close contact exposure. Though #vaccineswork to reduce risk, esp of severe/fatal #COVID19, #Omicron is still far more likely to infect you than any prior #CovidVariant.
9/ This is NOT a case against #GetVaccinated or #GetBoosted. You should do those IMMEDIATELY if you have not. But we can't rely on #vaccines to be iron-clad here as we kind of could w/ other #CovidVariants. We should expect #Omicron to tear through households if we're not ready.
10/ I deeply miss my family. I want to see them. I had hoped we could do it safely enough for my cancer survivor parent, my high-risk kid. I'm not sure we can anymore, even with them #vaccinated. If you WILL travel during #Omicron, think through logistics even more. It's...hard.
11/ What will you do if someone gets sick on your trip? Or has a positive #COVID19 test the day before you're due to fly home from overseas. Will you have space to stay apart in a hotel? Will you rent a car to drive home? Will family split up or stay together? Map it out now.
12/ This probably seems like a waste of time, but just like a fire drill, it's a total waste of time until it's not. The scenarios here, with #Omicron, will be the rule, not the exception. I won't be surprised to see 1/4-1/2 million+ cases per day by year's end. Be ready.
13/ Finally, pay attention to the #COVID19 cases where you are (or where you are headed if you may travel). If cases are high, if hospitals are full, just be aware that you may find yourself starring in a bad scene in an unfamiliar place. Decide if the trip is worth it for you.
14/ Every situation is different. Some may decide gathering is worth it. You or your loved one may have a short life expectancy. You may decide it's now or never, & you can't wait any longer to see each other because it truly may be your last chance. Ok. Just decide w/ 👀open.
15/ Take every precaution you can. #MaskUp. Rapid test to gather. Order takeout/cook together & eat outdoors. Only outdoor bars. The game has changed this month. #Omicron plays to win. Just plan it all out, so whatever happens, you've planned for it. Stay safe, y'all. /End
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