#15,101
It's been only eleven weeks since Sharon Sanders and her team at FluTrackers posted the first reports on a cluster of unidentified pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China. Since then, the world has changed in ways that few could have imagined.
Major cities in China have been quarantined for weeks, a growing number of countries have been either fully or partially locked down, international travel to and from many regions has been banned, global stock markets have been roiled, in many places there is panic buying, and several nation's healthcare systems are already on the verge of collapse.
Most countries are trying to walk the fine line between being prudently proactive, and making things worse by being over-reactive. With the notable exceptions of Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore - all of whom reacted swiftly back in January - most countries have been too cautious, and now find themselves chronically playing catch up.
To be fair, this is the first non-influenza respiratory pandemic in modern times, and much of our preparations have been based on a novel flu, for which we have decent antivirals and a good chance of cobbling together a vaccine in 6 months or so.The full potential threat of this pandemic virus remains hazy, and officials around the world are having to make difficult decisions based on limited, and imperfect information. All of which means our response to COVID-19 - and the world we live in - is going to continue to change over the next few months.
Interim guidance - regardless of who issues it - will have a limited shelf life. It's far from ideal, but is is something we have to get used to.Today, the CDC is expected release new or updated guidance on a variety of issues. The first - released late yesterday - deals with mass gatherings (50 people +). I've only posted some excerpts, so if any of this applies to you, you should follow the link and read the guidance in its entirety.
Summary of Recent Changes
Revisions were made on 3/12/2020 to reflect the following:
- Highlights vulnerable populations
- Adds a section on “Considerations for Postponing or Cancelling a Mass Gathering”
- Adds a section on discouraging handshakes and high fives (for sporting events)
- Adds standard language regarding disinfection procedures
This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.
Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready
Interim Guidance for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Guidance as of 3/15/2020
Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.
Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.
This recommendation does not apply to the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses. This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus. This recommendation is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials.
(Continue . . . .)Last week, some municipalities across the country banned mass gatherings of 250 people or more, while in Europe, some countries - even those not currently under lockdown - are reportedly prohibiting gatherings of as few as 5 people.
Last night, Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker ordered an even more restrictive public gathering plan than just recommended by the CDC, banning all gatherings of 25 or more people.
No one really knows where the line should be drawn. We are in uncharted territory with this novel coronavirus, and the `current wisdom' is subject to change without warning.
As difficult as all of this is going to be, the penalties for getting this wrong are enormous.
