Is there anything wrong with fear? Healthy fear has saved many lives. Think about it.
I get accused sometimes (or it's implied) that I'm living in fear as I take precautions to avoid catching COVID. I mask using a great quality N95, I avoid crowded locations, concerts, use curbside pickup, don't eat indoors in restaurants etc.
I do these things because I have chosen to educate myself about the risks (long-term as well as short term) of catching COVID, as well as the ways to mitigate those risks.
Is that living in fear? On the contrary. I can relax, knowing that as far as possible I am protecting myself according to the best scientific recommendations.
But I suppose it is a level of fear in the sense that my awareness has instigated these behaviors. I think of it as a healthy, informed fear. I have the same healthy fear of getting run over crossing the road. I have educated myself and know that crossing blindly, anywhere, without looking, will put me at risk of being hit by a car or truck. So this healthy fear makes me look for a crosswalk, press the button if there is one, and wait for the traffic to stop, before taking my life in my hands and stepping off the curb.
People would think I was stupid (and they would be right) if I ignored the risks, listened to the calm, authoritative voice of people, even friends, telling me that there is little chance a vehicle will be coming along this road at this time, so the risk is small, and I got hit. Is this living in fear? No one would think that.
So why is there not the same attitude to being fully informed and protecting yourself against a disease which continues to seriously affected the lives of hundreds of millions around the world and has even killed many millions?
It's a mystery. A bit like the 'mystery virus' affecting so many I know. Why are they all stepping blindly off the COVID curb, so many getting hit, so to speak? Because they don't want to know?
@askazero
@auscovid19
#covidIsNotOver #EllieKPosts #COVIDcautious #COVID #FearCanBeHealthy #healthyFear
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in reply to datum (n=1) • • •Ask A Zero reshared this.
Another concerned scientist
Unknown parent • • •There is no harm to regular handwashing, as it also prevents other infections. But regular handwashing should not be used as an argument to not wear a mask when sharing indoor air. And that's how it has been used.
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Another concerned scientist
in reply to Another concerned scientist • • •@currentbias
" Results suggest that the contributions of fomite,
droplet, and inhalation transmission without any personal protection to overall risk are 6.9%, 32%, and
61% respectively. With personal protective equipment, the mean percent contributions of fomite,
droplet, and inhalation transmission are 2.8%, 30%, and 68% respectively.4"
ccnse.ca/sites/default/files/F…
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Another concerned scientist
Unknown parent • • •@currentbias
I also have doubts about the study.
The one thing that it does indicate is that the balance may shift if you introduce other mitigations.
You have the same issue with estimating the effectiveness of vaccines: The picture is quite different if you add masks than if no one is using masks.
Masks reduce the viral load, which increases the chances that a trained immune system can clear the remaining virus.
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Jonathan
in reply to datum (n=1) • • •Took a quick look and this is the best I could find. The others kind of vague/hand wavey "it lasts on surfaces for x days" stuff
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.e…
German summary pointed out big picture which is that you can find it on surfaces but transmission is very inefficient.
bfr.bund.de/en/service/frequen…
Can SARS-CoV-2 Be Transmitted Via Food And Objects?
Bundesinstitut für RisikobewertungAsk A Zero reshared this.
Another concerned scientist
in reply to Jonathan • • •And the virus won't go through the skin, so for transmission people first need to touch their mouth, inside of their nose or eyes. Maybe some transmission is possible by first touching food and eating it? Then there is still the acid of the stomach. It all does not sound like very efficient transmission if you can also just breathe it in.
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