Some thoughts about large indoor gatherings... which maybe high risk spreading events for #COVID19

Thinking aloud here...needs more observation and data analysis (exact data as always is very hard to come by).

1/n

Offices, shops, malls, public transport, restaurants, large family gatherings, weddingsare all often indoors with high people density.

In offices, shops/malls, public transport (including airplanes) - there is a good chance that a large number of people are wearing masks.

2/n

Masks definitely offer some protection again large scale spread in a crowded indoor place. Hence these maybe lower risk than the second category (large family gatherings in homes, weddings, restaurants).

3/n

The big issue in this second category is the large number of people NOT wearing masks. This increases the spreading risk significantly.

Indoor restaurants maybe slightly less risky if customers and servers wear masks most of the time (of course, except when eating).

4/n

I think indoor large gatherings (especially in 50/100+ numbers) for family functions, weddings, etc are higher risk than other categories.

Most people here don't wear masks. Worse, since many people know each other there is a psychological tendency to lower the guard.

5/n

Even people who are normally careful wearing masks in public sometimes let the guard down with familiar people and remove their masks.

Sometimes its direct or indirect peer pressure. If many people are not wearing masks, other acquaintances, relatives also remove them.

6/n

Also it is human nature to think...I know this person...they can't be a high risk?

People forget that the virus doesn't distinguish between relatives/friends vs unknown people!

7/n

I think as a general rule - masks are must in any large gatherings (even with close family members)...especially indoor gatherings.

Of course, all this is also predicated on the fact that masks help in reducing spread (there is good support for that theory now).

#MaskUp

n/n