Saying we have "tested more people in this country than any other country" is not helpful. The truth is, we have tested less than 1% of our population. We cannot expect people to go back to work, school, socializing, etc, until we know who is a carrier and potential infector versus who isn't.
The temperature screening will catch the really low-hanging fruit of those who are actively sick and showing fever symptoms. It will not catch anyone who is shedding virus before or after having symptoms, or shedding without showing any symptoms at all. I just saw a case today of a woman who was "presumptive COVID-19 positive" (because she couldn't get a test while showing symptoms), who tested positive for COVID-19 4 weeks post-symptoms!
This virus is not behaving according to other viruses we have dealt with. And all the information is not even known yet. We must remain super-vigilant in using all the protective gear we can when dealing with other people.
Stefanie Gangano
Some people can not realize that they have a low grade temp because they don't feel cruddy until later, if at all. They may just think that they are tired, stressed or generally run down. In fact some of those folks that classified as asymptomatic, might be better classified as mildly symptomatic.
Have you considered having the person use the thermometer while the screening person is maintaining the 6 ft distance? The screening person could then come and read the thermometer after the incoming person sets it down. In that case all that would need to be done is the screening person would need gloves and appropriate disinfectant wipes to clean the thermometers and other touched surfaces. If that would logistically work?
Monna:
First, we actually have tested more people than any other country in the world. Some of the testing in some countries (such as China) had poor reliability. Antibodies normally indicate that you are over the infection if you are walking around versus being treated and I am not aware of any test for "shedding". Tests for having the infection would not make sense if you have no symptoms (it is not practical to test 320 million people). Having a negative test on Tuesday, means you do not have the virus on Tuesday. Maybe you get it Wednesday.
Zack
Gee, how about we test people? There are tests for shedding, tests for anitbodies (doesn't mean you still aren't shedding) and tests for just plain having the virus. We see a lot more testing in other countries. You can't fix what you can't track. Monona
-----Original Message-----
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Sent: Fri, Apr 10, 2020 11:33 am
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Ask Dr. Safety: Recovery and Contingency - A Virtual Symposium Wednesday Evening April 15th
While it is true that perhaps as much as 50% or those infected are asymptomatic, what else can be done as a screen in the absence of a readily available quick turn-around test for the virus or antibodies?
Temperature screening was more effective with SARS-1 since it looked like the asymptomatic were not infectious.
At least a temperature screen will identify _some_ of those infected. These days, the perfect cannot be the enemy of the "sort-of OK."
That sounds about right on the PPE, with the mask an N95 if possible.. But the policy is flawed because the asymptomatic carriers will waltz through your test and into the building. Monona
WE ARE INSTITUTING A MANADATORY TEMPERATURE BE TAKEN OF EVERY PERSON ENTERING OUR BUILDING. THE QUESTION CAME UP AFTER WE PURCHASED THE TEMORAL THERMOMETERS, WHAT SHOULD THE PPE BE FOR THIS PERSON? OBVIOUSLY THEY CANT BE 6 FEET APART.
OUR SHORT ANSWERT WAS LAB COAT, MASK, FACE SHIELD AND GLOVES.
ANY OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NON MEDICAL FACILITIES?
Michael I. Schaffer, Ph.D., F.A.B.F.T., NRCC-TC
(800) 522-7424 (toll free) Extension 140
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This Message Originated Outside the Company
Last night, Neal and I hosted a version of "Ask Dr. Safety" and it was a hit - so much so that people wanted more and they told us what they wanted to talk about: Recovery and Contingency planning for post-COVID-19 activities.
So, Wednesday, April 15th, 9PM Eastern (8PM Central, 7PM Mountain, 6PM Pacific) we will be having a second round of Ask Dr. Safety on Google Meet.
Harry J. Elston, Ph.D., CIH, PMP
Principal, Midwest Chemical Safety
Standard confidentiality terms apply to this e-mail message.
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