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"Self contact tracing" for COVID-19
This is a real thing! In the past few weeks, we have seen multiple large clusters of people who have been traced largely by themselves. When the CTs call them, many already know they were exposed and are waiting for their test results. 1/ https://twitter.com/RanuDhillon/status/1287246457007874048
This is a real thing! In the past few weeks, we have seen multiple large clusters of people who have been traced largely by themselves. When the CTs call them, many already know they were exposed and are waiting for their test results. 1/ https://twitter.com/RanuDhillon/status/1287246457007874048
Let me explain how "self contact tracing" works.
1. Your friend calls you, "Hey I just tested positive. And I heard that a couple of other people at that beach party/family gathering were also positive. You should get tested." 2/ https://twitter.com/AbraarKaran/status/1287039183840739328?s=20
1. Your friend calls you, "Hey I just tested positive. And I heard that a couple of other people at that beach party/family gathering were also positive. You should get tested." 2/ https://twitter.com/AbraarKaran/status/1287039183840739328?s=20
2. You have no symptoms but look online for a testing site and spend the day getting swabbed (yes, it should be easier).
3. One or two days later you find out you are positive (sometimes it happens that fast in MA, depending on the testing site.) 3/ https://twitter.com/ossoff/status/1287109667211141120?s=20
3. One or two days later you find out you are positive (sometimes it happens that fast in MA, depending on the testing site.) 3/ https://twitter.com/ossoff/status/1287109667211141120?s=20
4. You scramble and call all of your friends: dinner for two at a restaurant, hanging out drinking with buddies, that aunt who asked you to come over and fix her window. All are shocked but most say they're going to get tested.
Then the cycle repeats from step #1. 4/
Then the cycle repeats from step #1. 4/
This is another example of how COVID has drastically changed our culture. And just in the past few weeks, I have seen "self contact tracing" in different communities, ethnicities, language, economic strata. It taps into the powerful instinct to protect family and friends. 5/
Self CT is "wicked" fast, faster than any other type of contact tracing, digital or manual. When we call, sometimes they not only have gotten tested, but also gotten a positive result and called their contacts. And a call from your buddy is 10x more effective than a CT. 6/
Self CT is dependent on the availability of testing and rapidity of results. Don't let anyone tell you that rapid TAT isn't important because you can just quarantine. Less likely to quarantine if your caller isn't a case. 7-10 days wait makes self CT stall (all CT really). 7/
Self CT is complementary to traditional CT. Our CTs can find additional people who are on the margins of "the group", or if there are bad vibes and the person doesn't want to call (our CTs are good at following instructions
). Also we can find mental and economic support. 8/
). Also we can find mental and economic support. 8/
Self CT is limited to family, friends, co-workers, but most COVID-19 transmission is among close contacts, not someone you stood next to on the bus. These clusters have been LARGE.
Thanks to @RanuDhillon @AbraarKaran for the discussion and @nataliexdean for the CT advice! END
Thanks to @RanuDhillon @AbraarKaran for the discussion and @nataliexdean for the CT advice! END
