Assess your risk of COVID-19 exposure with these examples
The Texas Medical Association has issued a chart to help you assess your risk of being infected with the new coronavirus during various activities as we head into the holiday season.
With a COVID-19 vaccine still months from public availability and a return to a semblance of normality in Waxahachie even further away, the chart can help you to make informed decisions as you consider invitations to holiday dinners or feel the urge to head out and join in New Year’s celebrations.
The chart looks at a cross section of typical activities and ranks them on a scale of 1 – 10 regarding the risk of infection. Shopping for gifts online is considered one of the lowest risks, whereas heading out to a bar on New Year’s Eve is associated with the highest risk.
Falling in the middle are activities such as attending an outdoor tree lighting ceremony, going to a parade and photo shoots with Santa.
In ranking the examples by risk, the chart’s authors assume that each activity involves participants who are complying fully with risk-mitigation tactics such as wearing a face mask and social distancing.
“The more people, the closer together, the fewer the masks, the more mingling indoors, the longer the time, the more singing and voice projection, and the more alcohol – the greater the risk,” the chart disclaimer warns.
The Texas Medical Association is the nation’s largest state medical society, representing more than 53,000 physicians and medical students across the state committed to improving the health of all Texans.
The chart is available for download.