Now is when we most need to care about social distancing. I am not an epidemiologist but I am a physician with expertise in microbiology. As we are starting to lift restrictions I might feel I don’t need to maintain quarantine but I realized I actually need to work harder, like the final lap in a race.
Cases may be dropping but most of us have no immunity to SARS-CoV-2 so we are still vulnerable. If you look at the cases tracked for COVID-19, the majority do not have an identified exposure. Transmission is not mysterious and I believe these cases represent exposure to asymptomatic infections or exposure away from home. This infection is spread by contact with objects contaminated with virus and by droplets from sneezing, coughing, or sometimes talking. Masks protect others.
Recent surveys show 50 percent of people know someone economically impacted. We will not be able to lift restrictions until the virus is eliminated from our community and can no longer infect individuals. Avoid contact with those who are ill, avoid exposing others if you are ill and wash hands frequently (https://tinyurl.com/rnohcbc).
Keep up the good work!
