VENTILATING THE DANGER OF DROPLETS
MY COMPLIMENTS to the Cape Argus for the Opinion page of Monday, November 16, 2020.
It carried two very enjoyable reads, one by Andrew Lee, a Reader in Global Public Health at the University of Sheffield, the other by Martyn Bennett, Professor of Early Modern History at Nottingham Trent University.
I make no apologies for slipstreaming in the penumbra of these two great articles. It ties into my mantra that reading, and the improved literacy that goes with it, enriches one’s life and helps us negotiate our realities.
Andrew Lee wrote a very practical piece on dealing with Covid-19. One can read it for its run-of-themill topicality, or one can read his deep sensitivity, which is the reward of deep reading. He agrees with all the protocols (masks, distancing, sanitising).
But he goes further. He speaks about the other ways in which the virus spreads despite our precautions. He warns against respiratory droplets and fomites. Fomites are objects that are contaminated by what he calls aerosol spread. Things like door handles, clothes, public transport and, unsurprisingly, closely-packed social gatherings and household festivities.
He iterates that activities like talking, singing and shouting increase aerosol and droplet exhalation.
He says very cogently: Public messaging also needs to put more emphasis on the importance of ventilation and the avoidance of indoor crowding.
He finishes his piece on a magnificent drumroll: If we really want to reduce the spread of Covid-19 while we wait for a vaccine without a constant cycle of lockdowns, the best advice to the public remains to act as though you might already be infected.
Enter Professor Martyn Bennett. He reminds us of the year 1647, when Christmas was banned in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. I won’t summarise the article, but in this momentous year, changes that last up to today were effectuated.
The Church of England had been ousted by the Presbyterian system. Holy days (from which we have the modern equivalent of holidays), including Christmas were banned. This included banning hanging decorations, excessive use of alcohol, household parties and the like.
The ban was enforced by political injunction and force.
But, guess what? The populace cocked a snoot at authority. They might not have been living under a pandemic, but the urge for festivity won the day. Football games were played on Christmas.
The Twelve Days after Christmas was a riot of celebration. Church elderswere reprimanded by the church for not tearing down Yuletide decorations or halting the frenzied fervour of holiday fever. Politicians were helpless before the breaking of rules as a matter of safety. People went to prison for their festivities.
The article is as riotous as its content. But it ends on a sombre note.
He says: “Like in 1647, many people today are fed-up with the government’s restrictions.
“Many have also suffered financial difficulties as a result of Covid regulations.” Politicians can learn from the fallout of the last time Christmas was cancelled. Such a possibility should be handled gingerly.