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THREAD: I know what I'm doing. Some reactions to this tweet -- which I thought was hilarious -- suggest I'm a hypocrite and my daughter selfish. I'm inclined to ignore but realize a lot of you have bought into binary notion of COVID-19 response that Trump is selling. Don't. 1/ https://twitter.com/juliettekayyem/status/1304753273837162496
So maybe it would be helpful to explain, again. We are all so impatient with each other. And the fact that I will do so does not minimize my utter rage that I have to do so (or the disruption that led my daughter to not go back to college).
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We are in the risk mitigation phase. Per Fauci, the risk will not be eliminated at best until end of 2021, if then. I feel my role here is to be brutally honest (must be) and advise how we move forward. We know much more now. There are safe things to do, unsafe things to do. 3/
The WH, wanting us to believe that there are only two options -- isolate or be free -- doesn't talk about risk mitigation. But I wouldn't be very good at my job if my only advice, even to my family, was essentially quarantine or party. 4/
I wrote this recently to prepare folks for 2021. We know a lot. Contain the virus, all else follows. As a society, we need to focus on critical needs such as schools; as individuals, we need to mitigate the potential for spread. 5/ @TheAtlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/09/americas-coronavirus-ordeal-wont-end-when-2020-does/616108/
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/09/americas-coronavirus-ordeal-wont-end-when-2020-does/616108/
Or, in wonky terms, this chart (I do love my charts). Again, it is not binary: we need to minimize contact intensity (if not eliminate, such as bars); manage number of contacts (no big events); and maximize mitigation (masking, WFH, "healthy" buildings, etc). 6/
We would be closer to "normal" if we followed this. This is what Fauci talks about when he says "public health tools" to get us through until vaccine. In some areas, this means things like opening schools; others, no. Most, it means a "now normal," a daily risk calculation. 7/
3 tested and masked girls in a car; 2 "healthy building" hotels checked out by the expert mom and my brother's Colorado house; stops at gas stations self-serve; markets masked; jealousy-inducing local diners chosen already for take out; 12 disposable extra masks I hid in case. 8/
Each day, different. You can't sustain either rage or total isolation. It may be until the end of 2021, so map it out. If we were led in any way, we either wouldn't be in this position or you'd know what to do. But we aren't and I don't waste time hoping Trump will change. 9/
I'm not happy in that joyful sense, but not miserable. Maybe this helps: today, I walked the dog masked; went to market, masked. I will go surfing later (its still summer) and I"ll wear a mask until in water. The boys will get on bikes. We'll have dinner at home. 10/
I have no plans for planes this fall or winter. Again, my default is risk minimization, and I have no pressing need to be on plane. I have gone to two restaurants, both outside, since March. I will finally see my sister and parents and meet by car (again, a road trip) in Oct. 11/
When my girlfriends call asking for advice, I simply walk them through the daily test: minimize contact intensity; manage number of contacts; and maximize personal mitigation. If they can't do that, then don't do it. 12/
Ideally we'd live in a nation where much of this is decided for us to protect us (no political rallies, tougher masking rules) and to also prioritize important societal needs (spend more time on school reopenings). That didn't happen. So we make a calculation everyday. 13/
I'm not defensive, but do apologize that my first tweet did not mention our pandemic planning. I guess I assume readers know I am WELL AWARE the need. But hopefully this is helpful as we extend the runway again. Rage, yes. Reduce the risk, yep. Then vote.
But now, surf. End
But now, surf. End
