USA TODAY International Edition
Doctors warn of risks at Trump’s NH rally
Social distancing, masks urged at outdoor event
PORTSMOUTH, N. H. – The news that President Donald Trump will hold a rally Saturday raised concerns among medical experts about what his visit will do to the relatively low COVID- 19 numbers in the area.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu urged residents to wear masks and practice social distancing at the outdoor rally.
From the outset of the pandemic, the state has not stopped people from peacefully assembling, including marches led by Black Lives Matter and protests from Reopen NH, Sununu said.
Perception, influence play a role
David Itkin, infectious disease expert at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, said he looks at the upcoming rally from two perspectives.
“The first is perception,” Itkin said. “He’s here. He is our leader. A lot of people, including me, have been working hard to keep our numbers low, to educate people about the best way to be safe. So I worry that the rallies give the perception that our president will be seen as a negative role model. I also worry his visit could undo what we have accomplished here.”
Itkin said his second worry is for the people of southeastern New Hampshire.
“I am not sure we have the ability to control infection in a really large crowd where some people will choose not to wear a mask. … Will there be the ability to do social distancing, or do they want that appearance of a packed house?” Itkin said.
Itkin advised attendees to bring their own masks and hand sanitizer, to watch the crowd and to leave if they do not feel safe.
‘ Crowds of any form’
Martha Wassell, director of infection prevention at Wentworth- Douglass Hospital in Dover, New Hampshire, said any public gathering, regardless of size, during a pandemic is concerning from a public health perspective.
“Crowds of any form inherently increase the risk of coronavirus transmission,” Wassell said. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released additional guidance on June 15 with a few questions to ask if considering attendance at a large gathering.”
Wassell said attendees should consider how many people they will interact with, and for how long.
“Being in a group with people who aren’t social distancing or wearing cloth face coverings increases your risk,” she said. “Engaging with new people raises your risk. Some people have the virus and don’t have any symptoms, and it is not yet known how often people without symptoms can transmit the virus to others. Can you keep 6 feet of space between you and others? Will you be outdoors or indoors? The closer you are to other people who may be infected, the greater your risk of getting sick.”
Keeping distance is especially important for people with increased risk of severe illness. Itkin said people 60 and older and those with cardiovascular diseases or compromised immune systems should stay home.
Mask mandate? Not yet
Dr. Ben Locwin, part of a group that advocates for mandatory masks in the state, said Gov. Sununu could require masks for the event.
“His political affiliation and the enormity of the pressure amid the scenario’s optics make that unlikely,” Locwin said.
State Sen. Dan Feltes, who is challenging Sununu for governor, released the following statement: “Gov. Sununu should issue an order to require social distancing and masks and cancel the event if the Trump campaign will not comply. Gov. Sununu has kept the ‘ state of emergency’ in place and has the authority to do this. Public health of Granite Staters should take priority over politics.”
Evangeline Thibodeau, an infectious disease doctor at York Hospital in Maine, is concerned about the people from her state who might attend.
“People standing together closely, with no mask for a long period of time, more than 15 minutes, raises risk,” she said. “We are doing well in Maine and in the Seacoast in general. I’d hate to see us lose that.”
Kenneth Cohen, a psychiatrist who lives in Kensington, New Hampshire, said he doesn’t think a Trump rally is a good idea.
“New Hampshire has been working hard to mitigate the COVID virus spread, and we have been cautiously wary, guarding against the uncertain course of this novel, lethal virus,” Cohen said. “The airborne droplet spread of the virus is certain, and the current national surge of cases and hospital admissions is alarming. Donald Trump’s contempt of the science regarding this virus and his willful defiance against masks and holding large gatherings inflicts direct harm and escalates the spread of contagion.”
Wassell urged attendees of the Trump rally to maintain at least 6 feet distance from others and to wear a mask.