The hospital where I work is now treating fewer people with Covid-19, after undergoing a lethal relapse of the coronavirus this year. In the United States, the number of people hospitalized with Covid-19 has fallen 29 percent in the past two weeks, most likely thanks to increased immunity due to previous vaccines and infections, which as well as the success of government-imposed restrictions. It feels like we can start to exhale.
But the situation is still delicate. The number of new Covid-19 cases reported daily has dropped sharply from a high in early January, but recently the rate has stabilized as new variations of the virus threaten the slight progression we have to turn back. Some of these new changes are more dynamic and could be more dynamic. They may also be more susceptible to some vaccines than previous strains of the coronavirus. A variant found in Brazil of infected people who already had some immunity to Covid-19 due to previous infections.
People should be vaccinated as soon as possible, and in the meantime, the best way to prevent infection with a new version of coronavirus is to stick to the basics that we know work. .
Keep wearing a mask – preferably a better one
Masks are the single most important tool for controlling the spread of the coronavirus, as well as vaccines. Any mask is better than no mask. But with some of the new variables being more contagious, updating your mask is even more important now. Choose one that filters airborne particles effectively – like N95, KN95 or KF94 – or get a surgical mask and adjust it to make your face look right. These can better protect you from droplets and airborne particles, and can prevent you from infecting others if you have coronavirus.
If you can’t find a mask designed specifically for filtering aerosols, a cloth mask worn over a surgical mask provides much better protection than a single cloth mask. It is especially important to use the right mask (or masks) in crowded indoor situations where ventilation is poor. Because scientists are still studying the extent to which vaccinated people can still pass on the virus, vaccinated people should wear masks around those who have not been vaccinated. .
Improve ventilation
Since Covid-19 spreads mainly through the air in the form of droplets and aerosols, proper ventilation of indoor spaces is essential to control viral spread. Increasing ventilation is more important when people are unable to get around, such as in schools, workplaces and grocery stores, or when traveling in a taxi, on a shared trip or on a public footpath. To improve indoor airflow, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends opening doors and windows, using fans to increase air circulation and installing high-efficiency air filtration systems. , among other measures. The government should provide financial assistance to small businesses that cannot afford such measures.
Socialize safely
After nearly a year of loneliness, we desperately need socialization. The CDC will shortly be issuing guidance to people who have been vaccinated to make it clear what actions are and are not safe. But Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, President Biden’s chief medical adviser for Covid-19, has said people who received the vaccine can gather in private along with others who have received the vaccine.
Although people who have been vaccinated may become infected with the virus, vaccine test data suggest that this may only lead to a mild illness, if symptoms appear at all. However, people who do not receive the vaccine should continue to avoid activities that are considered high risk, such as spending time indoors with people outside the family or a small social group. , gathering in crowds and flying masks.
Get vaccinated – any vaccine
All three vaccines approved for emergency use for the excellent coronavirus have prevented severe infection. When it comes to getting a vision, the question should not be what vaccine you get, but when you get it. If you have been vaccinated, do what you can in your community to communicate the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines to those who may be willing to be shot.
It only takes one person to start a revolution, and everyone can take steps to stop one. After all, the emerging variables still spread in the same way. That means the same interventions still work, as long as we use them consistently.
The New York Times