These ideas come from Four concepts to assess your personal risk as the U.S. reopens, by Leana S. Wen, published in the Washington Post on May 21, 2020.
Moving to a harm-reduction strategy.
Concept 1. Relative risk.
View risk through three variables:
Proximity: the highest risk is being close to someone who’s infected, indoors, for a long while. (Think prisons, nursing homes, group homes.)
Decrease risk by meeting outdoors at a safe distance from others.
Activity: Group singing, funerals and birthdays have been known to spread the virus. (There is no know case of someone getting the corona virus from walking past a stranger outdoors.)
Decrease risk by skipping large events (exactly as we have been doing).
Time: The longer the time, the greater chance of infection. That’s why they say not to linger while shopping.
Decrease risk by limiting time in public places.
Concept 2. Pooled risk.
Those who have been carefully minimizing any possibility of exposure can probably associate safely with others who are doing the same. High-risk individuals who spend time around other high-risk personnel (health-care workers, grocery store employees, among others) should continue strict social distancing.
Concept 3. Cumulative risk.
Risk increases with every close contact. Choose activities by importance or urgency (i.e., working, getting a hair cut), and let everything else go for now. People with chronic health issues are especially vulnerable and no one is proven immune. Wisdom dictates caution.
Concept 4. Collective risk.
With a virus that is contagious before symptoms show, the more Covid-19 in the community, the more risk to everyone. Masks reduce transmission. The government has guidelines to protect everyone. It is our responsibility to be alert and compliant with those guidelines. Lives depend on it.
Common sense and risk assessment are vital to survival for the foreseeable future. And of course, remember: just because we can do something, doesn’t mean we should.
Have two goals: wisdom—that is, knowing and doing right—and common sense. Don’t let them slip away, for they fill you with living energy and bring you honor and respect. They keep you safe from defeat and disaster and from stumbling off the trail. With them on guard you can sleep without fear; you need not be afraid of disaster or the plots of wicked men, for the Lord is with you; he protects you. Proverbs 3:21-26 Living Bible (TLB)