Interacting safely: Tips from a public health researcher

As a public health researcher, I understand the challenges and risks of interacting with others during this pandemic.

We all have to be vigilant and cautious about who we interact with, how long we interact with them, and where we have the interaction itself. This is because key elements such as social bubbles, ventilation, and the amount of time spent with others — all play a role in the transmission of COVID-19.

While it is best to self-isolate and stay home as much as you can, sometimes a little interaction is unavoidable. This is especially true for those with extended families who depend on each other, employees who can’t work from home, or people in serious dating relationships.

In addition, loneliness is a profound challenge in Canada and having less interaction exacerbates it even more.

In light of this, here are some tips you should consider before interacting with others:

Social Circles: This is a key element to consider before meeting someone. Ask yourself how big is their bubble? Do they regularly interact with more than five people? Do those five people have large networks who meet regularly? If yes, that’s a red flag and you’re probably better off chatting with them over the phone or Zoom rather than meeting in person. Ensure the people you want to interact with don’t have large circles. It’s important to know your bubble and the bubble of those you interact with.

Location: Studies have shown that ventilation and the amount of time you spend in the vicinity of another person play an important role in infection. Before you decide to meet your friend or loved one, think about where you want to meet. Ensure there’s enough ventilation. While the risk of meeting someone outdoors is not zero, it’s significantly lower compared to a meeting indoors with poor ventilation. Check and see whether the patio has the tables spaced out by at least two metres, if the location is crowded or has people cramped up, go somewhere else where you’ll be safer. Similarly, avoid meeting inside someone’s house — opt for a backyard where there’s enough ventilation and you can maintain physical distancing.

Protective Habits: It’s important for you to be very confident that the person you are meeting follows public health recommendations, such as wearing a mask, distancing two metres from others, and using hand sanitizer or washing their hands frequently. If the person you’re meeting does not follow these recommendations, you could be putting yourself in danger. In addition, make sure you take all precautions during your meeting. Simply being outdoors does not mean you can ignore the other recommendations. All the public health guidelines need to be followed in combination to have maximum effect.

The above tips are a few things that would help you make wise decisions about your interaction with others.