Read on Twitter
If you--like me--need a little refresher on what this all means, here is a breakdown from @JohnsHopkinsSPH: the positivity rate is an indicator of (1) the level of community transmission and (2) if our testing levels are adequate. https://twitter.com/CatRichert/status/1326527842302169096
@JohnsHopkinsSPH notes that a high positivity rate "suggests higher transmission" in the community and "that there are likely more people with coronavirus in the community who haven’t been tested yet." https://www.jhsph.edu/covid-19/articles/covid-19-testing-understanding-the-percent-positive.html
Minnesota's goal is to remain below a 5% positivity rate, and in order to get back into this range, we need to either DECREASE the number of people who have COVID or INCREASE testing. So what does this mean for us?
We each need to make safe decisions for our communities. This means shrinking our circles as much as we can. Wearing a mask ALWAYS. Social distancing at stores and only going in and out of stores when necessary. Get tested and isolate while you wait for your results.
We also have to be extra careful about our mental health & the mental health of our loved ones. Get back to setting up virtual coffee dates & calling your grandparents. Take long walks outside with your fave audiobook/podcast. Thanksgiving will be different this year. Know that.
Not everyone has the luxury of staying home. Essential workers are on the clock making life easier and safer for all of us. Hospitals are short staffed & near capacity. Health workers (from doctors to cleaning staff) are exhausted. Don't make this harder for them.
I am disappointed in our government's lack of response, but that doesn't mean that we can't each take action that will make a difference. For more info, @JohnsHopkinsSPH has put together informative and digestible articles here: https://www.jhsph.edu/covid-19/articles/
