Dear #Saskatchewan,

Time is of the essence in containing #COVID19SK, esp. when our epidemic “curve” is no longer flat. The Effective Reproductive Number “R(t)” is now 2.2https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❗️" title="Rotes Ausrufezeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Rotes Ausrufezeichen">

Pls add measures to control #aerosols transmission & #Mask4All indoors in areas w/ active transmissions. https://twitter.com/SaskHealth/status/1288908976516562945">https://twitter.com/SaskHealt...

A major paradigm-shift is required by Public Health/IDs/IP&C at this time to implement effective containment measures to slow the exponential spread of #COVID19SK.

ie. recognition of short-range “airborne” spread by “aerosols” & the relevant roles of face mask https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😷" title="Gesicht mit Mundschutz" aria-label="Emoji: Gesicht mit Mundschutz"> + ventilations.

For an UTD review on current scientific understandings, see @zeynep’s excellent summary @TheAtlantic today https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⤵️" title="Nach rechts zeigender Pfeil mit Krümmung nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Nach rechts zeigender Pfeil mit Krümmung nach unten">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔑" title="Schlüssel" aria-label="Emoji: Schlüssel"> change req’d:
Recognition that the paradigm of “droplet vs. aerosol” route for resp. pathogen transmission is an outdated, false dichotomy. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/07/why-arent-we-talking-more-about-airborne-transmission/614737/">https://www.theatlantic.com/health/ar...

Direct link to Environmental/Occupational Health Prof. Don Milton’s open-access article, referenced in Zeynep Tufekci’s @zeynep excellent piece for @TheAtlantic

https://doi.org/10.1093/jpids/piaa079">https://doi.org/10.1093/j...

Though targeting IP&C in healthcare settings, the new lit review article by Dr. Kevin Fennelly for @LancetRespirMed is equally important.

Dr. Fennelly speaks directly to a medical audience as a physician who has studied tuberculosis for over 20yrs.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30323-4">https://doi.org/10.1016/S...

Impt to note:

#PhysicalDistancing is still an effective measure to reduce exposures to SARS-CoV-2 virus https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🦠" title="Microbe" aria-label="Emoji: Microbe">

But on its own, staying > 2m/6ft apart in High Risk settings (Close contact, Crowds, Closed space) is not adequate to stop COVID-19.

Image from cited Lancet review https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⤴️" title="Nach rechts zeigender Pfeil mit Krümmung nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Nach rechts zeigender Pfeil mit Krümmung nach oben">

Medscape article by Prof. @jljcolorado

Assumptions underlying the FALSE dichotomy of “droplet vs. aerosol” paradigm led to the FALSE belief that #SARSCoV2 https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🦠" title="Microbe" aria-label="Emoji: Microbe"> cannot be found encapsulated in #aerosols or “droplets” that are “airborne” for min to hours.

#vp_1">https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/934837?src=uc_mscpedt&faf=1 #vp_1">https://www.medscape.com/viewartic... https://twitter.com/jljcolorado/status/1288932022547656704">https://twitter.com/jljcolora...

My attempt at summarizing the science re: RISK of over-reliance on #PhysicalDistancing (assumption: #SARSCoV2 not transmitted by #aerosols that can be inhaled at distance > 1-2m away from source) while ignoring roles of https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😷" title="Gesicht mit Mundschutz" aria-label="Emoji: Gesicht mit Mundschutz"> & ventilation.

Thx @sammaciag!
https://twitter.com/sammaciag/status/1289207028913594369?s=21">https://twitter.com/sammaciag... https://twitter.com/sammaciag/status/1289207028913594369">https://twitter.com/sammaciag...

Yes, the Coronavirus Is in the Air.
#aerosols #SARSCoV2 #COVID19

By Prof. @linseymarr for @nytimes https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/30/opinion/coronavirus-aerosols.html?smid=tw-share">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/3...

Aboard the Diamond Princess, a Case Study in Aerosol Transmission.
#aerosols #SARSCoV2 #COVID19

By Prof. @jljcolorado for @nytimes https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/30/health/diamond-princess-coronavirus-aerosol.html?smid=tw-share">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/3...

I missed the updates from yesterday. Thx to @CPraillGlobal & @MickeyDjuric for flagging this.

R(t) value of #COVID19SK is https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Pfeil nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach oben">:

R(t) = 2.2
(July 27 estimate for Sask overall; SHA memo via @CBCSask)

R(t) = 2.9https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❗️" title="Rotes Ausrufezeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Rotes Ausrufezeichen">
(July 29 estimate for Sask overall; Chief MHO at media update) https://twitter.com/drannehuang/status/1289028683047395328">https://twitter.com/drannehua...