Covid-19 and Other Risky Events in Children’s Hospitals: A CNN Medical Analyst’s View on the Prevention of Viruses and Influences
The rise in respiratory syncytial virus and flu in children have led to the overcrowding of their hospitals. Covid-19 cases are on the rise, too, and a CNN analysis showed that hospitals are at higher capacity now than they have been throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
What can families do in the lead up to the holidays to make sure that the holiday is free from Viruses and how will they protect themselves during the festivities? When should everyone wear masks? How can people reduce the risk of getting sick on flights and during transit? Who might want to consider postponing travel and holiday celebrations? And what should people do if they do become ill after gatherings?
To guide you through these questions, I spoke with CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician, public health expert and professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. She is the author of Lifelines: A Doctor’s Journey in the Fight for Public Health.
Second, what’s the importance of these events to you, compared with the importance of avoiding infection? Virtually every in-person interaction has some level of risk. It does not mean you should always avoid in-person activities, but it does mean you should always be aware of the risk of getting a respiratory infections from high-risk events. Depending on how you choose to look at it, going depends on whether you want to get sick or not.
It includes frequent hand washing after you have touched a frequently used surface. Wear a high-quality N95 or equivalent mask in all indoor crowded settings. There is an attempt to reduce gatherings during this time.
Avoiding the crowds during the holidays: masking and hand washing during vaccination and Covid-19 tests in crowded environments and public transportation arrangements
Don’t delay if you haven’t already received the flu vaccine or Covid-19 booster. The vaccines reach optimal protection about two weeks after the inoculation, but even if it’s a little bit less than that until your events, there will still be some additional protection.
A lot of respiratory infections are spread through droplets. It’s important to wash your hands frequently and well. Bring hand sanitizer with you in case it’s not readily available and use it frequently, especially after shaking hands and touching commonly used surfaces like shared serving utensils.
Testing is a measure that can make a difference and it’s not the only one. If the event requires same-day rapid Covid-19 tests, that reduces risk. The organizers would like you to know that people who are symptomatic should not attend.
If outdoors is not possible, consider your setting. Can people not cluster very close to each other in a larger space? Is it possible to keep windows and doors open and to use high-efficiency particulate air (hpe) filters?
Having everyone take a rapid home test on the same day can reduce risk. You may choose to provide the tests at the door to better ensure that everyone takes one.
Travel is generally not the major concern; one-way masking with a high-quality mask works very well to protect the wearer. I am more worried about the risk after people are together.
Wen: Expect that airports, train stations and bus depots will be quite crowded during the holidays and plan ahead to reduce your risk in these crowds. If your goal is to keep safe during the holidays, I highly recommend masking in these settings. If you have returned to normal activities after masking for a while, I think it is a good idea to get your mask back out in the crowd so that you don’t get sick and end up missing holiday gatherings.
High-quality respiratory masks, such as N95, KN95 or KF94, are very protective against droplets. Figure out, if you have not already, which masks you can wear comfortably for long periods of time during transit. Bring several with you in case one of them gets soiled or bent out of shape.
New Year’s Eve Events and Celebrations: How to Organize an Event with an Expeditious Social Event and Possible Associated Infections
The risk is higher for more people. A small gathering of, say, 10 close friends means that you could potentially contract respiratory viruses from one of these 10. If these friends are cautious, they probably won’t see any of the infections coming into the party. There is a large party of 1000 people. In this case, chances are much higher that someone at that party is infectious.
The precautions for people who are vulnerable should be explained to the hosts. If the event turns out to be riskier than they anticipated, they should feel confident to leave.
If you test positive for Covid-19, you should talk to your health care provider about taking Paxlovid if you’re eligible. Inform the event organizer right away so that they can alert others.
Many people hunkered down at the start of the coming year because of the risk of Covid-19. But now, New Year’s Eve events and celebrations are back in a big way. A lot of people have plans to attend social functions, whether they are crowded festivities with thousands or house parties with a few relatives and friends.
Is there a timing issue for which you don’t want to get sick going into the new year? A person who has an operation the week after New Year’s may want to be extra careful so they don’t get an infections and have to postponing their surgery. Someone else may have an important work event or school exam, and the desire to avoid any infection before that occasion could outweigh the desire to participate in New Year’s Eve celebrations. All of these things will vary depending on what person they are for.
An outdoor event is not as risky as an indoor event. Indoor events where everyone is spaced out, and where there is good ventilation, will be safer than ones where people are crowded close together.
Asymptomatic and vulnerable people can be tested for Covid-19 via a blood-type test at least five days after New Year’s Eve
Wen: If you are asymptomatic, you should test at least five days after the event. If you test earlier than that, the test result might be negative, and you could still have contracted Covid-19, even if the virus in your body hasn’t replicated enough for the test to detect it yet. To be certain, I’d test five days after and then again two days after that.
Wen: The incubation period for Covid-19 is at least two days. If you contracted Covid 19 on New Year’s Eve, you wouldn’t have enough virus in your system to get other people sick the next day. It is possible by the next day.
Covid-19 is responsible for some viral symptoms. If you are someone who is particularly vulnerable, you should call your health care provider, who can test you for influenza and prescribe the antiviral Tamiflu. Children and other vulnerable people should get tested for RSV, too.