By any reasonable measure, COVID-19 is going to be with us over the winter and well into 2021. Even if a vaccine becomes available, it's going to be a long time before it can be produced and distributed in quantity. Winter is always a prime time for virus-spread diseases, and this year will be no exception. So how do we get through the winter?
The Atlantic, in its continuing coverage of the pandemic, has some good advice on what we can do to get through the winter. I should note that the article is intended for an American audience, and some of the advice won't work, or work well, in Canada's harsher climate. But it's still worth reading.
Along with masking and distancing, time itself can effectively be another tool in our bundles. It’s not just the distance from another person that determines transmission; it’s also the duration. A shorter interaction is safer than a longer one because the window for the virus to enter your airways is narrower. Any respiratory virus is more likely to cause disease if you inhale higher doses of it. If you do find yourself in high-risk scenarios, at least don’t linger. Fredrick Sherman, a professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, recommends that if someone near you coughs or sneezes, “immediately exhale to avoid inhaling droplets or aerosols. Purse your lips to make the exhaling last longer. Turn your head fully away from the person and begin walking.”
Even as it gets colder, continue to socialize and exercise outdoors when possible—even if it’s initially less pleasant than being inside. It’s worth thinking about sweaters, hats, and coats as protective measures akin to masks. During the holidays, don’t plan gatherings in places where you can’t be outdoors and widely spaced. This may mean postponing or canceling long-standing traditions. For a lot of people, that will be difficult and sad. For some, it will be a welcome relief. In either case, it’s better than sending a family member to the ICU.
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