How many times are we told to avoid certain places because the risk of becoming infected from coronavirus is high? A recent list was created from over 400 doctors that identified places where 80% of new COVID-19 cases believed they had become infected. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/almost-covid-transmission-happening-5-214735157.html
Restaurants are Number 1
https://bestlifeonline.com/worst-place-sit-restaurant/?utm_source=yahoo-news&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=yahoo-feed Restaurants ranked the highest of the scale of contagion. The CDC reported not long ago that adults with positive SARS-CoV-2 test results were almost twice as likely to have been infected at a restaurant than other places. There are some good tips in the link above to consider the next time you dine out.
Bars are Number 2
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-hanging-out-at-a-bar-during-the-pandemic-is-a-terrible-idea#Socializing-and-pandemics-dont-mix Socializing during a pandemic is not wise. Closeness defeats social distancing. Noise causes people to talk louder throwing more potential viral particles into the air. The cleanliness of restrooms is another factor. The link above contains more details on this topic.
Cafes are Number 3
People in restaurants tend to come in, eat, and leave. However, people in cafes are seen more frequently coming in, staying longer, then leaving. Whether it is a cup of coffee and a long discussion with friends or potential clients, people spend more time in a café than a restaurant. It is a numbers game. Fewer people frequent cafes than restaurants.
Hotels and Lodges are Number 4
https://bestlifeonline.com/dirty-hotel-spots/?utm_source=yahoo-news&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=yahoo-feed Breakfast buffets, elevator buttons, door handles, fitness rooms, television remotes, and more are reasons why some hotels and lodges are more prone to people becoming infected with coronavirus. Sheets are cleaned and replaced, but not all surfaces are sterilized after every customer. Some places do, but not all. Hostels and dormitories have a higher risk factor.
Houses of Worship are Number 5
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/faith-based.html Many houses of worship keep every other pew empty to maintain social distance. I have been to three funerals during this pandemic and each time I had an empty pew in front and back of me. Singing spews more viral germs into the air. I noticed that a crew of cleaners was standing by to sanitize the church as I left. The link above gives CDC guidelines for religious institutions.
Conclusion
It is not necessarily where we are that is hazardous, but our actions when we are there. Hugging, shaking hands, talking without masks, and more can increase the risk of infection. Indoors have higher risks than outdoors.
One article I read a while back indicated that take-out food delivered through a window as you drove by was one of the lowest risks for contracting COVID-19. When we are outside exercising, walking, running, or hiking, the risk is low. Golf and tennis are low-risk sports. Sitting six feet away at an outdoor event and wearing a mask is low risk.
Staying home under house arrest is safe; however, it does not provide a cure for coronavirus. It merely delays it. 99% of us will survive this pandemic. It is probably higher than 99% for those under 55 years of age since the statistics started counting deaths in March and the virus has been with us since last December according to https://abcnews.go.com/Health/coronavirus-us-early-december-2019-study/story?id=74479234.
We can protect ourselves and prevent infection with the normal safety measures outlined by the CDC and other medical professionals. We also can cure ourselves based on the asymptomatic and mild cases which are way over 50% of those infected. Keep a healthy immune system and there is less to worry about.
Live Longer & Enjoy Life! – Red O’Laughlin – RedOLaughlin.com
