Re:Why don’t we just open the windows? Covid-19 prevention l...
by dredmorbius on Monday November 29, 2021 @01:37AM
(#29377061)
The "public" in public health refers to the fact that it's the aggregate health status of a population that matters.
Arbitrary guidelines are chosen:
- Because at the population level they're likely to be effective. Yes, individuals may get sick. Or die. But with the measures in place, overall risk and impacts should be reduced.
- They're actionable, memorable, and can be monitored and observed. Masking, hand-washing, limited exposures, limited occupancy, maintaining distance --- these all help reduce transmission, they're simple guidelines most people, even young children, should be able to comply with, and they can be readily and visibly observed.
It's a balance of benefits, risks, adoption, and enforcement.
Immunity status is harder to assure and measure, but vaccination standardises the innoculation, creates a memorialisable event, and can be checked if needed at specific locations and junctures.
The "five second rule" is far less meaningful than what's on the floor. But if you happen to see something fall, note that where it landed was reasonably clean, and if possible can wash it ... you're likely to make a better assessment than if it's been sitting for a few days. Even then, I'd make a sharp distinction between five seconds on my bedroom floor, vs. in the bath, or in a public building or street.
That said, much food comes from the ground. Wash and prepare suitably, you're reasonably safe.
Arbitrary guidelines are chosen:
- Because at the population level they're likely to be effective. Yes, individuals may get sick. Or die. But with the measures in place, overall risk and impacts should be reduced.
- They're actionable, memorable, and can be monitored and observed. Masking, hand-washing, limited exposures, limited occupancy, maintaining distance --- these all help reduce transmission, they're simple guidelines most people, even young children, should be able to comply with, and they can be readily and visibly observed.
It's a balance of benefits, risks, adoption, and enforcement.
Immunity status is harder to assure and measure, but vaccination standardises the innoculation, creates a memorialisable event, and can be checked if needed at specific locations and junctures.
The "five second rule" is far less meaningful than what's on the floor. But if you happen to see something fall, note that where it landed was reasonably clean, and if possible can wash it ... you're likely to make a better assessment than if it's been sitting for a few days. Even then, I'd make a sharp distinction between five seconds on my bedroom floor, vs. in the bath, or in a public building or street.
That said, much food comes from the ground. Wash and prepare suitably, you're reasonably safe.