As the numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases increase in Canada and in the U.S., there has been a greater interest in tracing where the cases originate. Such data is then used in some cases by governments to introduce accessibility restrictions or simply impose a complete lockdown of businesses and government services. For months, places like gyms and restaurants have been linked to outbreaks of COVID-19. One recent study compiled using location data collected by SafeGraph in the U.S. linked more than 80 percent of infections to locations such as full-service restaurants, gyms, hotels, cafés, religious organizations and limited-service restaurants. What all these locations have in common is of course the fact that they have people congregating in significant numbers, often in close quarters.
However, I have difficulty as to why the emphasis is being placed on tracking which really represents outcomes after cases have been confirmed. Instead, we may be better off looking at realistic ways of dealing with such gatherings as a preventive measure. After all, a once of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Furthermore, there are a lot of assumptions about the use of such tracing methodologies. Indeed, in Ontario (Canada) authorities admit that where 60 percent of infections occurred is simply unknown. Unlike some American states, provinces here have instituted a variety of restrictions on locations and gatherings, including lockdowns, since the pandemic became an concern back in the spring.
It doesn’t take an epidemiologist to figure out how people become more vulnerable to COVID-19. After all, the virus takes the form an aerosol spread by an infected individual(s), asymptomatic or not, in an enclosed area where people can breath in the virus. Most dangerous locations involve spaces where people cannot adequately physically distance, are not wearing masks or applicable personal protective equipment (PPE) and there is poor ventilation. At the outset, this was why outbreaks occurred particularly in long term care and retirement homes. Sufficient precautions, such as PPE, were not taken by long term care residences to protect their staff and their most vulnerable residents from exposure to the virus.
Limiting exposure to potential sources of infection and taking the appropriate precautions just makes common sense. Unfortunately, there are still people who insist on frequenting such locations without adhering to preventive measures. The fact that confirmed cases are now rising can be largely contributed to such complacent attitudes. Maybe when hospitalization numbers overwhelm the health care system and the number of deaths continues to astronomically increase, people will come to realize the consequences of risky attitudes and actions. Governments will continue to use tracking numbers in order to politically justify restrictions on businesses and services. However, such measures may be too late for many people. It appears that the only way to really convince people to act in a safe and healthy manner may be to crack down and issue hefty fines in the case of large private or public gatherings. Everyone needs to understand that various forms of individual sacrifice are required for the good of their families, communities and society at large. If one lives in an area where restrictions are slim to nonexistent, I would definitely urge caution about visiting potential COVID-19 hot spots — no matter where the location is.
FROLITICKS 