08/31/2021
Dear Pandemic (a COVID-specific offshoot of the Nerdy Girls) was started by some SAS faculty right here at Penn! Head on over to their page to Like and follow future updates. And keep using your SMARTS, Penn!
Q: If the Delta variant is more transmissible, are normal precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) less effective?
A: Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But when cases are high we may need to be more vigilant about existing precautions.
TL;DR: The new variants are transmitted the same way as all the other variants of SARS-CoV-2, so you can reduce risk by using your :
↔️ Space: Keep your distance from other people.
😷 Masks: Keep your nose + mouth covered.
💨 Air: Keep it fresh.
🔄 Restrict: Keep your circle small.
🕐 Time: Keep your interactions brief.
💉 Shots: Get both doses of your vaccine!
❓How can you protect yourselves and families against Delta?
💥 Vaccines are still working well against Delta, especially against severe disease. The best way is to get vaccinated and encourage others to do so. And be sure to get that second dose.
For those still waiting for that second jab, with kids who are not eligible to be vaccinated, or who have less vaccine protection due to immunosuppression, you can minimize the chances of bringing Delta into your home with our old familiar strategies. Vaccinated individuals who have vulnerable people in their close contacts should also step up precautions when cases are high in their area. This is especially true in public situations when you don’t know the vaccination status of those around you.
💥 While the amount of time or exposure needed to get infected with Delta might be less than previous variants, nothing about the mutations in Delta make it physically easier to get around masks, distancing, or good old soap and water.
Recall, the biggest risk for transmission in the presence of an infected person is SHARING AIR with someone, breathing the air that they exhale. The exhaled breath contains particles most concentrated close to the person breathing or speaking (picture your breath outside on a cold day).
❇️ SPACE & MASKS can minimize your breathing in the exhaled breath of others. The virus is carried by particles of mucus and saliva, so the distance these can travel is not changed by the new variant, nor is their ability to physically pe*****te a mask.
❇️ AIR: While outside is best, remember that OUTSIDE IS NOT MAGIC if you are in close contact, especially without a mask. You can still breathe in that person’s breath.
Indoors, ventilation (meaning introducing outside air) is key. This outside air dilutes any virus in the air, pushes it outdoors, and stops it from accumulating indoors. HVAC systems can be set to bring in maximal outside air, but it’s also as easy as OPENING DOORS & WINDOWS (see more specific tips in FAQ and Slide links below).
❇️ RESTRICT: Fewer people in a room also limits the concentration of exhaled breath in the room.
❇️ TIME: If you are indoors with an infectious person emitting more virus particles from their breath, a 10-minute interaction may be as risky as a 20-minute interaction was before. Keeping the duration of contact short with people of unknown vaccination status is wise if transmission is high in your area.
The virus, no matter the variant, needs hosts to reproduce and survive, simple as that.
Do your part to deprive Delta of oxygen by getting vaccinated with 2 doses. When that is not possible, use the strategies above to minimize your risk of transmission.
💥 Remember the Swiss Cheese model—even lots of small measures with holes stacked together can add up to big protection.
P.S. For considerations around Delta precautions and kids, see this great article featuring Nerdy Girl Dr. Lindsey Leininger:
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/delta-vaccinated-parents-people-kids-12-need-know-rcna1590
Impact
Love,
Those Nerdy Girls
Links:
FAQs on Protecting Yourself from COVID-19 Aerosol Transmission:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fB5pysccOHvxphpTmCG_TGdytavMmc1cUumn8m0pwzo/edit?
Slide Presentation on Aerosol Transmission with suggestions on Filtration/Ventilation:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sao_SOF3p6_QkPQHBZxXUfNgOijYUWdW/view?
