Thread by @EpiEllie

THINK LIKE AN EPIDEMIOLOGIST, Part 2.

In today’s 1st thread, I discussed the math of infections to help you understand what #TinyWiseDecisions you can make to be #COVIDSafer this winter.

In this 2nd thread, I want to give some concrete ideas for making your risk a little lower.

https://twitter.com/EpiEllie/status/1473681500650545158

Omicron is very contagious & ideally, we would all be taking STRONG precautions.

But risk is additive & a spectrum, so #TinyWiseDecisions will help.

Choose something from this thread or share an idea of your own, so that we can all be just that much safer this holiday season.

Idea 1: If you are planning to attend more than one holiday event, choose one of them to decline.

Attending even one less gathering makes everyone safer.

Idea 2: If you are hosting a gathering, invite one less household.

Infection transmits easily within households, so having many different households together is more risky than fewer households.

Idea 3: If you’re going to a gathering, take a rapid test right before heading out of the house.

If the test is positive, or if you have any symptoms, stay home!

Idea 4: Wear a mask if you weren’t planning on wearing one. If you were already planning to wear a mask, choose a better mask.

KN95s or N95s are good. If you’re already wearing those, make them better by ensuring a nice snug fit.

Idea 5: If you are attending a holiday gathering, open up the windows to let some fresh air in, even if it’s a bit frosty.

If you were already going to do that, consider spending some of the time in the garden or on the balcony (if you have either—I dont!).

Idea 6: If you were going to visit more than one household, add an additional day or two between your planned visits.

Just a couple extra days will give you time to detect if you or anyone at the first household was infected.

Idea 7: If you were planning a holiday outing to the movies or theater or a restaurant or similar, choose a less crowded time or place, an outdoor seating option if available, or wait a few days before seeing family.

Idea 8: If you’ve been delaying getting vaccinated, make an appointment today! Accept whichever vaccine is available soonest.

The best vaccine is the one in your arm!

Idea 9: If your religious community is offering virtual services, choose those instead of in person. If you dont have that option, choose a less busy service (7am maybe?).

Mask up, spread out, dont shake hands or hug, dont linger too long chatting, ask to keep doors open.

Idea 10: If your gathering has a meal, consider having people plan to bring the food home rather than eating all together. Eating requires unmasking & unmasking means more chance of transmission.

Alternative: have different households eat in different rooms at the gathering.

Okay, there are surely many many many other ways to make your holiday safer & to choose #TinyWiseDecisions, but I’m running out of steam right now.

Share with us what you are planning to keep yourself & your loved ones #COVIDSafer this holiday season.

An important caveat to Idea #6.

Waiting gives time for symptoms to manifest but waiting for less time could just make you asymptomatic & infectious at your visit! Be careful out there, friends 💜

https://twitter.com/EpiEllie/status/1473739648446967816

For all you “no one would do this” folks….

https://twitter.com/thomaswright08/status/1474846681409675277