However, this does not mean that big events should be canceled. On the contrary, the Gridiron Club outburst shows what life is like with the Covid-19. It should be clear now that every time we interact with others indoors and without masks, there is a risk of transmitting Covid-19. This risk is reduced if there are lower levels of infection in the surrounding community and if the area is well ventilated. On the contrary, the more people we interact with, the more likely it is that one of them will be a carrier of the virus and we will catch it. Event organizers will have to decide what level of risk they can tolerate and therefore what precautions they should take. The Gridiron incident required proof of vaccination, an important safety factor. (A number of Post colleagues are members of the Gridiron Club and attended the event.) This is because people who have been vaccinated are almost three times less likely to become infected than those who have not been vaccinated. Subscribe to The Checkup With Dr. Wen, a newsletter on how to navigate pandemics and other public health challenges Requiring a quick test on the same day is another level of protection that would further reduce the risk. The upcoming White House correspondents’ dinner, which traditionally has more than 2,000 attendees, reportedly calls for both a vaccination and a same-day test. I think it is great if the hosts want to take these precautions, especially if they know that there are many vulnerable people who would not have attended the event without them. I also believe that it is acceptable for event organizers to choose not to take precautions and instead place the burden on individuals to decide the acceptable risk to their own medical condition. Many people will decide that because they are vaccinated and fortified, they are extremely unlikely to get seriously ill and that they are well with an increased chance of infection. Others could just as reasonably decide that, given the many strangers around the coronavirus, they would only attend a work party or wedding if they could wear an N95 mask or similar mask all the time. If they do this and do not remove the mask to eat or drink, they can keep their risk of coronavirus infection low, even if they are surrounded by people who do not have a mask, have not been tested or have an unknown vaccination status. (Of course, they could also choose not to attend the event at all.) There are those who would argue that it is irresponsible to have parties that could turn into hyper-dissemination events. This was true before vaccines were widely available, but it is no longer realistic. We need to use a different example – an example based on people being thoughtful about their own risks and the risks they pose to others. Your questions about covid-19 were answered by Dr. Wen Here’s what it would be like: If you chose to attend a large indoor gathering or engage in other high-risk activities, such as frequenting busy bars, take a test before visiting a nursing home or having dinner with an immunocompromised relative. If you have a newborn or are living with someone who is particularly vulnerable, ask others to do tests before they come to you. To be on the safe side, ask them to reduce risky activities for three days and then try shortly before the visit. If you are older or have medical problems that make you more prone to hospitalization due to coronavirus, you have a plan for what will happen if you stick to covid-19. Are you suitable for monoclonal antibodies and antiviral pills like Paxlovid? Where can you get access to these treatments, including opening hours and weekends? At this point in the pandemic, we must accept that infections will continue to occur. During the winter solstice, nearly half of all Americans became infected with the coronavirus. The new Omicron sub-variant, BA.2, is even more contagious than the original. The price you have to pay to avoid coronavirus infection is extremely high. Some Americans may choose to continue to pay this price, but I suspect most will not. Accepting that coronavirus infections will be a part of our lives does not mean that we give up. On the contrary, it means recognizing that we finally have the tools to eliminate most of the horrific effects of the coronavirus. Almost all of us will stick to Covid-19. Let’s prepare for when we’s going to do it and let ‘s continue to live our lives in the meantime.
