Read on Twitter
1/ Many are talking about gradually lifting public health measures as #COVID19 cases are dropping in Canadian settings.
What is needed to avoid undoing our collective efforts & sacrifices as we reopen? And how do we account for more transmissible variants (eg B.1.1.7)?
What is needed to avoid undoing our collective efforts & sacrifices as we reopen? And how do we account for more transmissible variants (eg B.1.1.7)?
2/ We often hear people say that because of the more transmissible variants we need to "double down" on control efforts & vaccinate.
What exactly does doubling down mean?
It most likely means keeping R at (or preferably below) 0.8 to account for greater transmissibility.
What exactly does doubling down mean?
It most likely means keeping R at (or preferably below) 0.8 to account for greater transmissibility.
3/
Maintaining R at/below 0.8 would likely allow for a continued decline in cases as we see more B.1.1.7 circulate.
So what questions do we need to address to gradually & safely reopen in the context of community #COVID19 transmission & growing burden of B.1.1.7?
A few Q's
Maintaining R at/below 0.8 would likely allow for a continued decline in cases as we see more B.1.1.7 circulate.
So what questions do we need to address to gradually & safely reopen in the context of community #COVID19 transmission & growing burden of B.1.1.7?
A few Q's
4/
-Can we slow down importing more variants of concern? We have pretty stringent border measures already, so, yes.
-Is the capacity for Test-Trace-Isolate-Support in place to keep up with the existing #COVID19 burden? Can this stretch to accommodate some degree of growth?
-Can we slow down importing more variants of concern? We have pretty stringent border measures already, so, yes.
-Is the capacity for Test-Trace-Isolate-Support in place to keep up with the existing #COVID19 burden? Can this stretch to accommodate some degree of growth?
5/
-Are "wrap around" services available to ensure equitable access to support & protection?
"...making sure that people who are disproportionately impacted by this virus have access to the supports and protections they need..." Thank you, @joe_cressy https://bit.ly/39x7iWT
-Are "wrap around" services available to ensure equitable access to support & protection?
"...making sure that people who are disproportionately impacted by this virus have access to the supports and protections they need..." Thank you, @joe_cressy https://bit.ly/39x7iWT
6/
-Is the school environment safer? Smaller class sizes, ventilation, masks, etc?
-Are there policies to create safer work environments for essential workers & those returning to work? Paid sick leave, masking indoors, ventilation, screening with rapid tests, etc.?
-Is the school environment safer? Smaller class sizes, ventilation, masks, etc?
-Are there policies to create safer work environments for essential workers & those returning to work? Paid sick leave, masking indoors, ventilation, screening with rapid tests, etc.?
7/
-Can the healthcare system accommodate potential surges in #COVID19 cases yet still function reasonably well? (e.g. not cancelling scheduled surgeries).
-Is there a framework in place that allows for rapid policy changes if there appears to be a dangerous growth in cases?
-Can the healthcare system accommodate potential surges in #COVID19 cases yet still function reasonably well? (e.g. not cancelling scheduled surgeries).
-Is there a framework in place that allows for rapid policy changes if there appears to be a dangerous growth in cases?
8/ There are probably a lot of other questions to highlight, but these are ones that struck me as being important & addressable.
#COVID19 vaccines will certainly help, but more widespread vaccine rollout is months away (late March/April?).
#COVID19 vaccines will certainly help, but more widespread vaccine rollout is months away (late March/April?).
9/
If we haven't addressed upstream drivers of community infection (e.g. many equity related issues) and mobilized infrastructure/programs for community #COVID19 control, then we may see another cycle of lockdowns when restrictions are lifted.
This is preventable.
If we haven't addressed upstream drivers of community infection (e.g. many equity related issues) and mobilized infrastructure/programs for community #COVID19 control, then we may see another cycle of lockdowns when restrictions are lifted.
This is preventable.
Also, for more input on what an optimal R would be in light of more transmissible variants, advice from experts including @BeateSander @mugecevik @KevinAnBrown @nicolamlow and @DFisman would be most helpful.
And as @AshTuite points out...it's one thing to ask the questions, it's another to operationalize the response. https://twitter.com/AshTuite/status/1355916374783238147?s=20
