COVID and great outdoors, vaccine access

Outdoor COVID-19 infection and latest scientific overview

This week was a tough week for science communication. According to the guidelines published for outdoor masks, less than 10% of infections occur outdoors, which can be quickly picked up and, frankly, confusing. Outdoor infections are very rare and, when they occur, involve the crowd (long-term close contact) and / or some indoor elements.So New York Times Columnist David Leonhard said:That benchmark “It’s like an exaggeration,” said Dr. Muge Cevik, a virologist at the University of St Andrews. In fact, the rate of infections occurring outdoors is less than 1%, May be less than 0.1 percent.. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may have chosen a high benchmark to convey the upper limit of risk, but it is ultimately a problem for many.

new Science overview Last week’s CDC also revealed a little more about the nuances of COVID-19 infection. In this new overview, the CDC provides a little more clarity and detail on inhalation, viral deposition on exposed mucosa, and contact with mucosa with contaminated hands. A brief description describes the inhalation of respiratory droplets and aerosol particles. These can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time.

Overall, this overview is very helpful in communicating this nuance and repeats two important points. Current infection control efforts remain effective, and the risk of infection is greatest within 3 to 6 feet of the infected person.

There is active debate about the terminology and transmission of infections, requiring it to be classified as “air”, but in the end, this guidance repeats the risks and nuances of facing new pathogens. .. Overall, it helps to understand the effectiveness of the intervention. Close contact is the main risk of infection, but rethink how infections can occur over 6 feet and can be communicated as they actually occur.

As the CDC states about these clusters, “These infection events lead to virus concentrations in enough space to propagate the infection for long periods of time (15 minutes or more, and in some cases several hours) indoors. Accompanied by the presence of infected persons who spit out. To those who were more than 6 feet away, and in some cases to those who passed through the space shortly after the infected person left. According to published reports, under these circumstances. Factors that increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection include:

• Closed space with inadequate ventilation or air treatment Among them, the concentration of exhaled breath, especially very fine droplets and aerosol particles, can accumulate in the air space.
• Increased exhalation The amount of respiratory fluid when the infected person is engaged in physical exercise or is speaking out (eg, exercise, screaming, singing).
• Long-term exposure For these conditions, usually 15 minutes or more.

Such updates are highly valued not only in healthcare response, but also in communication with healthcare professionals and communities. Infectious disease transmission is not as simple as a single label that does not explain the nuances or circumstances that increase or decrease risk, so advancing these communication strategies and resources is highly valued.

The whole country needs better access to the COVID-19 vaccine

This week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Expansion The Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine includes vaccines aged 12 to 15 years. Previously, vaccines were recommended for people over the age of 16. This is a welcome remedy for many as more attention is focused on what schools and autumn look like. “Today’s actions can protect young people from COVID-19 and allow us to return to normal sensations and end the pandemic,” said FDA Deputy Commissioner Janet Woodcock. It states in. Press release.. “Parents and guardians can rest assured that the agency has conducted a rigorous and thorough review of all data available, as well as all of the emergency use authorizations for the COVID-19 vaccine.” 11-17 years old More than 1.5 million children are infected. With COVID-19 since March last year and now, the biggest concern with this deployment is hesitation. The CDC and FDA are working with schools and pediatricians to address this and ensure the spread of the vaccine. This is a positive step towards mitigating COVID-19.In the United States, but as many have pointed out, the distribution of vaccines is expanding, so most countries around the world Struggle.. COVID-19 is a global issue and vaccine distribution is completely unfair.