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I'm using the @microcovid tool ( https://www.microcovid.org/ ) to help decide whether to get a dental cleaning, and I'm not quite sure how to put this in as a custom scenario...
Using the "worst" options, it estimates a "very high" risk of 600 microcovids:
Using the "worst" options, it estimates a "very high" risk of 600 microcovids:
Here are the selections that I think are fairly accurate:
- 2 people near me who are front-line workers (hygienist and dentist)
- Distance is... intimate? Certainly not 3 ft apart
- They're wearing masks & face shields
- 2 people near me who are front-line workers (hygienist and dentist)
- Distance is... intimate? Certainly not 3 ft apart
- They're wearing masks & face shields
I'm not sure how to describe:
- Ventilation: They've added a LOT of extra ventilation, filtration, and cleaning protocols
For example, there's a big intake hose right near the patient's face, which goes to a surgical filtration unit, and they filter room air between patients
- Ventilation: They've added a LOT of extra ventilation, filtration, and cleaning protocols
For example, there's a big intake hose right near the patient's face, which goes to a surgical filtration unit, and they filter room air between patients
If I kept all other settings the same, and switched ventilation to "Outdoor", then the estimated risk would go down to 30 microcovids, "Moderate"
Hmm, I guess I'm not really that worried about catching anything from the dentist or hygienist, as they're thoroughly masked.
It's my saliva etc that's getting flung out into the room, so I guess I'm most concerned about what might linger from other patients.
It's my saliva etc that's getting flung out into the room, so I guess I'm most concerned about what might linger from other patients.
Other factors...
- I currently live with some people are high risk
- I'm nearly certain I already had COVID-19 in March, but wasn't able to get tested at the time. My recent antibody test was "equivocal/inconclusive"
- I currently live with some people are high risk
- I'm nearly certain I already had COVID-19 in March, but wasn't able to get tested at the time. My recent antibody test was "equivocal/inconclusive"
On the "no dentist" side... this dental cleaning is not urgent 
On the "go to dentist" side... I don't know whether the risk will get any lower over the next few months.
And emotionally, putting it off feels like not changing the oil in my car or something
On the "go to dentist" side... I don't know whether the risk will get any lower over the next few months.
And emotionally, putting it off feels like not changing the oil in my car or something
@microcovid
is a useful tool for a lot of scenarios, & I'm still not sure what to do here.
If I was living alone, I'd go.
If you really love watching dentist safety videos and want to reply to this tweet w/ how you're thinking about stuff like this:
is a useful tool for a lot of scenarios, & I'm still not sure what to do here.
If I was living alone, I'd go.
If you really love watching dentist safety videos and want to reply to this tweet w/ how you're thinking about stuff like this:
