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New research shows social distancing a must to beat Covid-19

directorsblog.nih.gov

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Re: New research shows social distancing a must to beat Covid-19

#3
> Although they are thought to be only about half as infectious as individuals with confirmed COVID-19, individuals with undetected infections were so prevalent in China that they apparently were the infection source for 86 percent of confirmed cases.

Figuring out how to manage this risk so we can return to society / open venues at a much lower risk of infection (while not giving all of our data to the government) is a challenge with which maybe some of this site's audience could assist.

Re: New research shows social distancing a must to beat Covid-19

#4
> For every confirmed case of COVID-19, there are likely another five to 10 people with undetected infections.

I wish this was reflected more in the numbers being presented by various authorities. There is just too much confidence that confirmed cases are representative of the spread of the virus.

This unknown denominator can change mortality rate, and severe case rate by orders of magnitude.

Because of the dearth of testing in the US, it seems highly likely that far more people are infected, and maybe even recovered.

I'm fairly certain I've just recovered from COVID-19 given my symptoms, but can't get tested here in Colorado. By the time I am able to get tested it seems likely that I won't be shedding the virus any longer, and will test negative.

This article captures my feelings on this very well: https://blog.longnow.org/02020/03/14/an-epidemic-of-false-co...

Re: New research shows social distancing a must to beat Covid-19

#5
post #2

Am I the only one who would prefer the term "physical distancing". Social distancing seems open for confusion by people. Since when they say "social distancing" it seems to mean stay physically distant from each other.

One of the doctors on one of the press conferences (sorry, can't remember which one), said that she would prefer the term "physical distancing" as well for the same reason.

She said that "social distancing" is a medical technical term that doesn't translate super well to the public.

Re: New research shows social distancing a must to beat Covid-19

#6
post #2

Am I the only one who would prefer the term "physical distancing". Social distancing seems open for confusion by people. Since when they say "social distancing" it seems to mean stay physically distant from each other.

While you're correct in the term being wrong, I don't think anybody misinterprets it. Moreover, the recommended 2m/6ft gap makes it clear that we are talking about physical distance, not purely social.

Re: New research shows social distancing a must to beat Covid-19

#7

> For every confirmed case of COVID-19, there are likely another five to 10 people with undetected infections. I wish this was reflected more in the numbers being presented by various authorities. There is just too much confidence that confirmed cases are representative of the spread of the virus. This unknown denominator can change mortality rate, and severe case rate by orders of magnitude. Because of the dearth of…

From the number of deaths you can crudely infer the number of infected, assuming the mortality on the Diamond princess and in South Korea (1%). Demographic effects are in play that don't make this quite right.

Re: New research shows social distancing a must to beat Covid-19

#8
Fascinating that they recommend you take OFF masks while on things like crowded BART trains and airports (I had lots leftover from forest fires) if you are "healthy", even though that might mean you are asymptomatic, or not yet diagnosed etc.

Despite claims masks (with good adherence to wearing) are highly effective - primarily by reducing hand to mouth/nose contact, secondarily as a direct barrier. And surgical masks are dirt cheap.

It looks like other countries went big on mask production and wearing - be very interesting if the claims that you should NOT wear masks if "healthy" even on crowded BART cars etc checks out in the end.

Re: New research shows social distancing a must to beat Covid-19

#10

> For every confirmed case of COVID-19, there are likely another five to 10 people with undetected infections. I wish this was reflected more in the numbers being presented by various authorities. There is just too much confidence that confirmed cases are representative of the spread of the virus. This unknown denominator can change mortality rate, and severe case rate by orders of magnitude. Because of the dearth of…

>There is just too much confidence that confirmed cases are representative of the spread of the virus.

Is that really the case? I'm finding it to be pretty common knowledge that "confirmed cases" is simply just that.

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