Read on Twitter
I know COVID seems like it is subsiding. But the B117 variant is spreading. What we do now to stop it determines whether it takes over and fills hospitals again in 2 months.
It's going to take more than vaccinations--the supply won't come fast enough. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/17/opinion/covid-19-precautions.html
It's going to take more than vaccinations--the supply won't come fast enough. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/17/opinion/covid-19-precautions.html
1. We need all Americans to wear a high quality mask. Upgrading to one with a metal nose clip and a snug fit so it doesn't fall when you talk or leak so much out the sides--ideally a medical grade mask--is important. This variant is 30-50% more contagious than what we've faced.
2. We must keep avoiding socializing indoors in groups (eg >10 people). While overall COVID rates are falling, B117 variant is doubling every 10 days. It was 4.5% of all cases in Florida last week--and expected to be the majority in early March. https://www.sciencealert.com/uk-coronavirus-variant-is-doubling-every-10-days-in-the-us
3. This is not the time to take the foot off the pedal. We should not be opening restaurants, bars, gyms, and the like. And we need rapid approval of legislation to support them financially -- long overdue.
4. High risk workers must be protected. Most workplaces take needed measures but many still do not. E.g., Oregon reported just last week 102 workplaces with outbreaks of 5-740 cases--at warehouses, stores, fast food, clinics, prisons. Everywhere. https://www.oregon.gov/oha/covid19/Documents/DataReports/Weekly-Outbreak-COVID-19-Report.pdf
We are 8 former members of the Biden transition COVID advisory board who cowrote this urgent guidance. ( @NYTimes only allows 3 authors on the byline): @ZekeEmanuel @llborio @RickABright @celinegounder @drdavidmichaels @mtosterholm and Jill Jim https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/17/opinion/covid-19-precautions.html
