3 overlooked places from where Coronavirus is entering our system
By: Neil Pande
Tags: Overlooked, Transmission, Masks, Ventilation, Covid

Besides crowds, closed spaces and close contact, Coronavirus is creating a transmission havoc between families and friends from three probable scenarios where we let our guards down.

Scenario 1:

Sita had gone to an open get together in an open air restaurant, taken all the precautions hoping that she will be safe. She was eating with trusted friends who were equally careful, maintaining a good distance in an open air. They really had a good time after such a long time. But unfortunately she started having symptoms after 3 days and the result showed, positive for Covid. She called her friends, all of them did the test and all came negative. Analyzing all her other activities, she could not find any. Wondering what all she had done there, she just remembered going to the toilet which was small and without ventilation. She had her mask on but had taken it off to fix her face. Sarah from another table had used the same toilet some few minutes ago without a mask and she did not know she was asymptomatic Covid Positive.

The lingering aerosol from Sarah had entered Sita’s system and caused her the disease.

If she was wearing her mask properly while in the toilet, she may have avoided the disease. If the proper ventilation (exhaust) would have been installed in that place, chance of transmission would have been minimal.

So, next time you use any common toilet make sure that there is proper ventilation and never remove your mask.

Scenario 2:

Ram’s family had his parents, his wife and 2 kids living together. They were very careful about their masks, social distancing and ventilation. Their parents had not stepped out in a year. They did not even sit together to watch TV, ensuring that social distance is maintained and wearing surgical mask even inside the house. But unfortunately, his father started showing symptoms and when tested was positive. When they tested others, the entire family was positive.

How did the father get it? They wondered. While going through every possible source, it was the dining table where they were eating their meals together. Had they eaten separately, father would not be in the ICU currently.

Scenario 3:

Sarah’s family did all the things to prevent from getting Covid. She lives with her mother, daughter and a husband. They were super careful. They wore their N95 when out, avoided all the 3Cs, crowd, closed spaces and closed contact. But still her mother came positive, who never left the house. Analyzing where she got it, they zeroed down to a domestic help who came from outside and spent considerable amount of time with the mother. The help had her son show some symptoms but it got alright. She did not feel the need to be alarmed and carried on coming to work.

Had the domestic help informed regarding her son’s symptoms, this whole chaos could have been averted.

So, these three scenarios that tell us few things to consider are:

You may be alright to meet people in the open, maintaining 6 feet distance, wearing masks but when you go inside even for a brief period, make sure the place is well ventilated, specially the toilets. Never take off your masks in the toilets. Having family dinners and lunches in a dining table can be avoided for a while. Eat separately. If need be, arrange tables and chairs in the open, weather permitting. Domestic help coming from outside is a big risk. Make sure that they are aware of the dangers, take all precautions, wear masks all the time and avoid closed spaces and close contact.

These three changes in our lives will surely help us in preventing the transmission and ensuring that we remain Covirgins.