I've been thinking about writing a little about the latest CDC guidance for a couple of days, but, life's been hectic. So, instead of one of my patented novels, I'm going to use the quote-toot feature, let you read what Dr Ding already ranted about, and pick it up from there(don't worry, it'll still be a novel, you know how I roll), because what Dr Ding posted is absolutely correct. It's awful. It's vague and we all know what the CDC intentions are in putting this out, and I'm going to trust that while I've been fighting appliance companies and driving thousands of miles we're all at the same starting point here because that's been talked about ad nauseam already.
What do you, the COVID cautious community, do from here?
One, if you can and it's your thing, protest. Here's a decent place to start. Wear masks, though? I'm really dreading seeing maskless people protesting. Don't be that person.
Two, while media is pushing the "24 hour quarantine" because it fits their narrative, we need to be pushing what's in there that's *good* and there is some!
Every time anyone is out there spreading diseases, and claiming they're following the CDC guidance, go over what the CDC says they *should* be doing, in the actual guidance. Not someone's interpretation of the guidance, or some infographic cooked up by someone in the media.
https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html
"When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days..."
It doesn't say "should" and it doesn't hedge. If people want to go out after 24 hours and your boss wants you in at work, there should be added precautions in place, for at least *5 DAYS*. Let's go over them.
First thing in the guidance is taking steps for cleaner air.
https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/air-quality.html
Is this person who's symptomatic and out in the world doing what they can from the guidance, such as:
- Bringing fresh air in
- Setting the HVAC fan to "ON"
- Using a HEPA filter
- Moving activities outdoors
Has your boss:
- Ensured that HVAC systems are meeting minimum air flow codes
- Tested to see if indoor ACH are 5 or over
If not, then THEY are not following the CDC guidelines.
Second thing in the guidance is hygiene.
https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/hygiene.html
I don't want to beat a dead horse here, everyone seems to just be coughing and sneezing at will with maximum aerosol velocity. That's not what we do, nor what CDC guidance is, surprisingly.
Third thing is masks!
https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/masks.html
Scroll past the dude with a baggy blue on. That's just embarrassing.
What does the CDC guidance actually say?
- Wear the best mask that you can, preferably an N95.
- At least minimally fit test it.
Again, it's key to point out to people that if they are sick and out of their home, or you are sick and they are forcing you into work, or jury duty, etc. everyone needs to be following the actual guidance and that means there should be masks involved. Good masks.
The fourth one is physical distancing.
https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/physical-distancing.html
The key point here is that there's none of this 6' for 15 minutes nonsense.
- Avoid being *near* someone with a respiratory virus
- Avoid crowded areas
Your boss should, and I want to quote this exactly:
"Provide employees with paid time off and flexible telework policies to support workers to stay home if sick."
Not doing any of that? Then you're not following the actual guidance. Period.
The fifth, and final thing, that should be happening under this new guidance is testing.
https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/testing.html
Should we have a single panel test that tests for COVID, RSV, flu, etc? Of course. Here in the US, do we? Nope.
So they tell you to test for COVID, and, importantly, mentioned again:
"Provide employees with paid time off to seek testing for respiratory viruses, as needed."
tldr; Yes, the guidance is intentionally vague and put out in a way that everyone will go "24 hours. Got it."
Don't fall for that. Make your boss read it ALL. Tell your co-workers they're not following the guidance if they tell you that they are. Tell your family and friends that the new guidance isn't "24 hours" and nothing else. Force them to acknowledge ALL of the steps.
QT: https://bird.makeup/users/trekkerteach12/statuses/1764446234990055466
The CDC has added new guidance for schools to their site. It is *not* COVID specific and titled "Preventing Spread of Infections in K-12 Schools".
I don't think it's great, but I also don't think it's bad. I see it as another tiny positive step in the process.
They do mention ventilation and filtration under "Everyday Actions for Schools to Prevent and Control the Spread of Infections" and masks make an appearance in a couple of places.
https://www.cdc.gov/orr/school-preparedness/infection-prevention/index.html
@BE They know the majority of people are A- still getting reinfected, B- not masking even when contagious, c- most places have not updated their ventilation and filtration to 6-12 ACH, d- most ppl have not gotten updated booster e- most are not getting Paxlovid and f- most are getting hassled for taking time off, and g- more than 3% are getting long Covid, there are more and better studies listed that stupid phone survey they put in there, and- they tell ppl to go in knowing they are contagious.
@BE The only way they should recommend this is if universal N95 masking plus clean air is happening AND that Paxlovid is available to ALL ages and affordable AND that people are informed of it and using it. They always rush taking away shit and it's disabling and killing us, it's baking things inaccessible. I hate them.
@BE I'm applying for a director position.
I'm going to try to advocate for air purification and adequate ventilation
Wish me luck
@autolycos @BE They mention it in the same breath as renovation and new builds, so they as well have not mentioned it at all.
@colorfiend @BE I am they so...
I both agree and disagree. The school my kids went to in 2019 was only a couple years old, so I understand some of the limitations there. On the other hand, the school my wife taught in is about end of life and they've been talking about building a new one, and I certainly hope they don't make the same mistakes in ventilation that they did with the one the kids were in.
"Ensuring existing HVAC systems are providing the minimum outdoor air ventilation requirement in accordance with ventilation design codes."
"Considering ventilation design and/or enhancements when remodeling or constructing new buildings to optimize clean air."
"Opening windows, when doing so does not create a safety hazard, to increase ventilation."
"Using portable air cleaners in spaces with low ventilation."
It's definitely not the detailed solutions that you might like to see, but, that's also not really the goal of this document. They already put out "Ventilation in Buildings" last year with more details.
I just saw the press release, if that's what you were talking about, which is a travesty. Unfortunately, that's expected. The politicians make the PR team put out the most minimizing press releases possible.
On ventilation it just says:
"Take steps for cleaner air by improving ventilation in schools. Schools should consider ventilation enhancements and design when undergoing remodeling or when undertaking new building construction to optimize clean air."
The full document is at least better than that! :)
@BE
Employers should be tested and fined for failing to correctly identify and employ CDC guidelines. Hit them in their pocketbook it’s all most of them understand. Fine fees are exacted weekly until compliance is achieved and all fees go directly into the employee sick leave pool for that business.
All of this requires follow-up and enforcement, though, through a government agency. 🤨