I have now published 10 essays about the COVID epidemic since the end of March. In the first, I set out my reasons for publishing these posts and included my bona fides. This morning, I re-read all 10 essays (It’s pouring rain here, what else am I going to do?), and I thought it might be time to restate my purpose. Throughout this pandemic, there has existed, through the media and even in private conversation, a steady torrent of complicated scientific information and an equal flood of uninformed, partisan opinion. Since epidemiology had been my field, I thought that I might help better inform people by explaining the concepts and terms and distilling the data down to basic concepts. I also wanted to offer practical, sound public health advice to people looking for a path through these trying times. For the most part, I think I’ve succeeded.

As for why I thought I had the right to offer any advice, I was an epidemiologist at the CDC for 33 years. I retired from CDC as the Director of an Epidemiology Division and then was a Senior Epidemiologist for a large scientific nonprofit organization. I’ve spent my entire career in public health. It was never that I thought I had any right to advise, I simply thought then and now that these articles might be helpful.

One of my earliest promises in these essays was that I would do my research and present the facts as facts – unassailable. I also promised that I would attempt to interpret the data and the public health actions and offer my opinions on the present situation and future, possible scenarios. I also explained that I would be clear when I was opining so the reader could clearly discern my opinion from the facts. In that vein, the rest of this article consists mostly of my opinions.

These are actually the most difficult times so far in this pandemic for individuals. The government has taken down the guardrails and you’re the one driving the car. So, how fast should you go? What direction? How many passengers? (I think I’ve tortured that metaphor enough, don’t you?) People have called and written me to ask my advice on these types of decisions, so I thought I might tell you how I am now living and you can do with it what you wish.

Dining – I eat lunch out about 4 or 5 times a week. That’s pretty typical of what I was doing prior to COVID. The difference now is that I exclusively dine al fresco. On only one occasion, I believe it was Mother’s Day, were my wife and I stuck inside a restaurant. We were very uncomfortable – no masks on the staff or any other customers. I counted down the 14 days after that event and have not dined inside since. Also, I tip bigger now. These people need our help.

Exercise – I bike every day – 15 to 20 miles. I freely bike. I don’t worry about getting too close or following a cyclist for an extended period of time. I don’t believe that I will ever pick up this virus from biking. I play pickleball. I don’t worry about touching the ball after other people have handled it. I do not wear a mask when I’m outside under any conditions, so if I’m playing a sport I will avoid concentrations of people sitting or standing around. I also work diligently to keep at least 3 feet distance when conversing outside. Also, I tend to keep the conversations short. If that person is unlucky enough to be infected, I want to keep my exposure at a distance (less intensity) and short (less duration). I am not going to a gym at this time. This is a huge sacrifice for me. My gym visits are sacred time and have been for 40 years. I just don’t believe gyms can be made safe right now. I don’t care how often you clean the surfaces, COVID is an airborne disease and I am wary about breathing in the exhaled air that results from strenuous activity. So, I’m out for now.

Socializing – I am not currently socializing.  I realize that I said in my last essay that I think socializing with one other person or couple who have been careful is a reasonable next step as we come out from lockdown. I have yet to take that step. Just being completely honest.

Masks – I believe in masks when you are out in public. I am disappointed that this idiot in the White House has managed to polarize the wearing of masks so that now “MAGA” men and women won’t be caught dead wearing masks. COVID is an airborne  disease. Wearing masks cuts down the distance the infectious droplets can travel and  wreak havoc. I don’t agree that masks only protect others from your infection. I believe masks protect both the wearer and others in their vicinity. Another of CDC’s many great errors in response to this pandemic was dissuading people from using masks early in the outbreak. Masks should be required of every worker and every customer. Simple. Not happening and never will in the good ol’ USA.

Surfaces – I am not a big fan of constant cleaning of all surfaces. I’ve never wiped down my groceries. I don’t feel that it is necessary to personally clean the table and chairs when we are dining out, but that doesn’t prevent my wife from doing it. If I need to go into the hardware store or grocery store, I will always wear a mask and then use hand sanitizer when I come out. Otherwise, I wash my hands relatively frequently and try not to touch my face when out. I realize that the virus can live for extended periods of time on various surfaces, I just don’t believe that it will survive at an infectious-dose level. That’s just me, for everyone else, follow the guidelines.

Travel – I have a 73 pound pit bull, so my travel is always relatively limited. Pit bull or not, I’d never get on a plane right now unless there was an extreme emergency. I would, however, go on a road trip and stay in a quality hotel. Would not hesitate. Once in the hotel, my main concern would be for communal areas. I would limit my time in the lobby and not go into the bar at all, but I would not be worried about my room.

That’s all for now. That’s how I’m living and I think it works, at least for me. Above all, in every situation, try to avoid other people’s air space. That’s really the key. Good luck.

 

Be careful. Be informed. Be safe.