COVID-19: The Walking “Well” and Future Conundrums as We Plan to Reopen: Social Distancing 2.0
The CDC’s early guidelines on the novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) recommended no masks for the public and physical distancing of 3ft (1m) apart. As the epicenter has shifted West, the CDC now recommends 6ft and public use of masks. Several publications and transmission models have supported significant contributions from asymptomatic spread of the coronavirus, especially by healthy children and adults. Persistent shedding for weeks from both the upper respiratory track and fecal samples has been documented. As the weather begins to warm, scientists are puzzling whether SARS-COV-2 will follow the seasonal behaviors exhibited by other respiratory pathogens. In the in Northern hemisphere, the flu virus is generally prevalent during winter. With no conclusive evidence yet about how SARS-COV-2 spreads, the expectation is that if it behaves like the flu virus, we may have a summer break in the West. With cases in every continent, it is very plausible that the coronavirus may survive in some infected people or region based on their burden of disease and eventually resurge when cold weather returns as we reopen a world economy dependent on globalization. Disease burden will also be impacted by host susceptibilities, treatments, seasonal physiological changes, and viral replication and propagation competency. Given the economic carnage Covid-19 has caused so far, a conditional, rolling reopening is recommended based on data trends from containment in hot zones, population testing, and radical changes to herd behaviors. How about always covering your cough or sneeze, washing your hands, and allowing a little personal space in public.
Articles reviewed for this post:
