This week the pride I shared with many of the groups we support, the pride of ZERO workplace spread of SARS CoV-2 resulting in COVID-19 infections was shaken – and the gnarling feeling of doubt churned in my gut. Are the people impacted OK? What about their families? How disruptive was this to the workplace? What happened? What, why, when, where, who, how… ?
Our initial finding reveals that complacency with mitigation precautions seems to have been the cause. Not wearing face masks diligently in the workplace and during breaks. When facemasks go down, combined with prolonged periods (over 15 minutes) of contact under 6 feet, especially when talking, inside – the likelihood of COVID-19 infection from person to person goes up 5-10-20 times. Please read that again to let it sink in. Especially during breaks when we are eating and drinking, 6-10 feet of separation prevents the sharing of droplets of spit. Mask wearing (over the nose and mouth) is something we can control.
I think about the American Revolutionary flag with the coiled rattlesnake which read “Dont Tread on Me” [sic]. Maybe we can put a mask on the snake and relaunch it as our COVID battle flag – Don’t Spit On Me.
Mask down, Risk up. These truths are self-evident. COVID-19 is highly contagious.
Contributor: Opinions and experiences of Hoyt Emmons, Med-Tex Services
