A Bubble Off Plumb

Image
Body

It is an unprecedented time in our history, and difficult time to know what to do.

What is best for yourself, your family, people you come in contact with every day? Do you want to exercise your civil right to protest or get out to rallies or other group events where you can educate yourself about candidates on this year’s ballots?

If so, how do you go about that safely in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic? Does social distancing go out the window in the face of these other needs?

According to the CDC, residents should consider the risk levels of an event before making decisions on attending. Lowest risk are virtual activities and the next level is small, outdoor gatherings where people can space themselves six feet apart. Attendees at this kind of event are usually local, may wear face coverings and don’t share objects. The Independence Day celebration at Hinton would be such an event.

At higher risk are larger gatherings where it is still possible for attendees, who are from outside the area but regional, to remain six feet apart. The highest risk of contracting the virus is at a large event where social distancing isn’t possible and people from all over are in attendance.

In any size gathering, the more people anyone interacts with and the longer they are at an event, the higher the risk of infection.

Face cloths may help slow or reduce the transmission of the virus, especially when social distancing isn’t possible such as moving around in a crowd or audience. Cloth face coverings aren’t personal protective gear, and largely protect others rather than the wearer.

At the end of the day, all any of us can do is do the best we can to weigh the benefits against the risks and make an informed decision on their activities.

Connie Burcham can be reached at Editor@WatongaRepublican.com