Who among us is spreading the disease?

The disturbing reality of this pandemic is not just the number of cvid-19 cases and deaths. It’s that we can have NO CLUE who among us is spreading this infectious disease. 

Who among us is a symptom-less carrier? 

Unless you feel sick, you wouldn’t really consider getting tested, right?

And that’s where the problem lies.

Recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have revealed that about 40 percent of cvid-19 cases in the U.S. show no signs of the disease.

According to the agency’s “current best estimates,” these asymptomatic cases are 75 percent as infectious as their symptomatic counterparts, and that presents quite a challenge in controlling disease transmission.

Due to their lack of symptoms, these cvid-19 carriers are extremely difficult to identify and isolate. That, in turn, means that these carriers are unknowingly spreading infection where ever they go and whoever they interact with.

The U.S. health authorities are already confronted with the challenge of speeding up the process of tests and results. Testing people randomly would be a near impossibility, at least for now. So what can we do to greatly reduce the risk of transmission? Assume we are all carriers? Or assume everyone we interact with is a carrier? 

Or, we can simply do what all the CDC recommends.

You all already know you MUST wash our hands often and for at least 20 seconds. Wear a mask that properly covers your nose and mouth. Always cover your sneezes and coughs. 

But that is not all that the CDC recommends. 

There areTHREE MORE preventive measures, the specifics of which, many people miss out on. And we wish to share them here verbatim.

Clean and Disinfect

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

• If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

• Then, use a household disinfectant. The most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.

Monitor Your Daily Health

• Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
• Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.
• Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
• Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
• Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

Avoid Close Contact

• If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.

• Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus.
• Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
• Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.