Should attendees of recent protests be tested for the COVID-19?
Q: I attended the recent protest demonstrations in Chattanooga. Should I be tested for the COVID-19 virus?
A: It continues to be clear that the main way that this coronavirus is transmitted is through respiratory droplets, which are most easily spread through close association with someone who is infected. Estimates are that a third or more of people infected with this virus have minimal or no symptoms. There have been many reports of spread of the virus during mass gatherings, be they choir practices, funerals or even pool parties.
In any setting where many people come together and stay in close proximity to each other (generally considered to mean fewer than 6 feet apart for more than 10 or 15 minutes), there is a significant increased risk of spread from anyone in the crowd who might be infected. This is especially true when people are singing or shouting or even talking loudly, which increases the amount of droplets being produced.
At a choir practice in Washington state, a single choir member with “mild cold symptoms” tested positive for COVID-19. Ultimately, 32 confirmed and 20 probable cases occurred from this event and two of these people died. Another event occurred when a person with mild symptoms attended a funeral in Chicago, including dinner with family members. Several days later, he attended a birthday party. Between these two gatherings, 16 other people became infected, including three who ultimately died.
I say this to emphasize how contagious and serious this infection can be. There is good evidence from multiple studies that we can significantly limit the spread of this disease by the simple steps of keeping our mouth and nose covered with a mask or cloth face covering, avoiding touching your face, maintaining our distance from other people (at least 6 feet, and farther is better) and practicing good hygiene, not only by hand-washing and sanitizing, but by not sharing items such as water bottles. CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social-distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
We must remember that the virus is still in our community and, without proper precautions, any gathering of people where social distancing is not practiced presents a significant risk of transmission. If I were you, I would give serious consideration to being tested within a few days of your participation even if you don’t have symptoms and would definitely get tested if you do.
Dr. Paul Hendricks is health officer for the Hamilton County Health Department and a member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society.