A writer’s advice
Either because of naivety or because they are trying to do the right thing we are being implored by our masters to wear masks in public and always keep our ‘‘social distance’’ from others. This ‘‘social distance’’ is a social thing and has little to do with medicine or mathematics. Here are a few points to ponder: Just be sure that when you are observing social distancing you always remain upwind from the people around you. This is especially difficult in the Cambridge Countdown queue in a prevailing westerly. Remember this virus is spread mainly by airborne transmission which is why it has been so successful even when battling the tides of sanitation. It has appeared very odd to me to see two people riding their bikes down a country road, keeping their distance and wearing masks. Where were they thinking the virus was going to come from?
Get yourself close fitting masks to wear in public. Those gaps around the side negate the tight knit fabric the mask is made of. When breathing in or out, air will take the path of least resistance and pass through the largest holes.
Finally, always wear goggles with your mask when out of your bubble. Your tear ducts are connected to your throat which, of course, the mask is being worn to protect.
Setting random arbitrary caps on the number of people that can gather together is a sign that someone doesn’t understand the mechanics of infection. Yes, it may lower the risk because there is less chance of an infected person being present, but it only takes ONE infected person to infect the rest of the group. So what is it again that you are trying to achieve by limiting the size of groups?
It is my belief that a transformational cure and/or vaccine will not arrive in time to be of any use. The virus would have died away naturally beforehand. Admittedly they are making a much bigger effort this time but they were not quick enough with any of the previous coronaviruses.
Stay safe and don’t believe everything you hear even if it is spouted by an expert or an official.
Geoff Orchard, Ohaupo