4 ms·
folks are erroneously using density as a proxy for the primary transmission vector, which is prolonged, varied, and direct exposure to others' respiratory exhau
by clairity 6y ago
folks are erroneously using density as a proxy for the primary transmission vector, which is prolonged, varied, and direct exposure to others' respiratory exhaust (understandable, but still erroneous). that happens primarily face-to-face, in close proximity, for many continuous minutes, not walking around a grocery store or sitting in a restaurant.
bars/clubs are different because they're primarily spaces for guard-lowering behaviors (drinking, dancing, etc.), which also lowers risk mitigation practices against infection.
this misperception of risk is what leads us to poorly placed faith in lockdowns, rather than the more sensible "distance, and when you can't mask" rule that has (nearly) all the benefits and (nearly) none of the massive downsides.
- zip1234 6y agohttps://ourworldindata.org/grapher/covid-19-death-rate-vs-population-density?xScale=linear&yScale=linear https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/covid-19-death-rate-vs-po... You are right. Population density appears to not really matter. Mask wearing and distancing appear to matter much much more.
- clairity 6y agothanks for the data support. it's really about getting people to take sensible precautions (by making them easy and reasonable), not going overboard and inducing a backlash due to disregarding relevant issues and consequences.
- icebraining 6y agoLockdowns is how you get people to stop meeting face-to-face in close proximity. Many simply won't otherwise.