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CDC& #39;s updated webpage on how COVID-19 is spread & prevention tips is now (almost) in line with science!
(WHO please do the same!)
(Hooray! only 10 months into epidemic & when Trump in hospital so maybe isn& #39;t paying attention?)
Thread https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavir...
(WHO please do the same!)
(Hooray! only 10 months into epidemic & when Trump in hospital so maybe isn& #39;t paying attention?)
Thread https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavir...
Webpage 1st summarizes dominant mode of transmission which is consistent with epidemiology data: mostly from people w/in 6& #39; of each other & clearly states that people w/out symptoms (pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic) can transmit also!
2. Website give ranking of how easily SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 spreads relative to flu and measles.
(I& #39;m not sure this is supported by data. R0 is higher than flu, but might be due to length of infectious period, not higher infectiousness. Anyone know of data to support/refute?)
(I& #39;m not sure this is supported by data. R0 is higher than flu, but might be due to length of infectious period, not higher infectiousness. Anyone know of data to support/refute?)
3. Further details on main mode of spread (w/in 6& #39;). Still focuses on "droplets" but also describes diffusion ("spread apart") of smaller particles. Some bullets aren& #39;t especially informative or helpful, but overall, much better.
4. The big one! Direct acknowledgement that >6& #39; "airborne" spread is possible. But wording is clear in stating that this mode is possible but rare & mostly in enclosed spaces (indoors, in vehicles) w/ poor ventilation. Great!
5. Clear, big bold text stating that surface transmission is rare. This is huge. Still so many people and places worrying about gloves & cleaning & not indoors/outdoors or ventilation.
6. A little section about spread b/w humans & animals. Doesn& #39;t indicate that spread b/w cats is possible ( https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2020/09/28/2013102117.abstract),">https://www.pnas.org/content/e... but I haven& #39;t seen any data that this is important epidemiologically, so probably good overall summary. But keep cats indoors (for many reasons)!
7. Prevention. I would have put this 1st!
Good: Distance & masks are 1st, 2nd
Less good: Ventilation, indoors/outdoors 4th (should be 3rd). Hand washing 3rd, & cleaning surfaces 7th.
Good: Distance & masks are 1st, 2nd
Less good: Ventilation, indoors/outdoors 4th (should be 3rd). Hand washing 3rd, & cleaning surfaces 7th.
7. cont. Additions Needed: Emphasis to get tested immediately if mild symptoms. Need this for effective contact tracing. Delays of even a few days make a huge difference as we showed in recent paper ( https://twitter.com/DiseaseEcology/status/1304486025599660032).">https://twitter.com/DiseaseEc...
Overall, a great improvement. I hope individuals, schools, organizations, companies adjust their prevention and risk assessment accordingly. Ventilation/setting (indoors/outdoors) is key (but distance and/or masks still needed outdoors)!
