https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/heal...237635002/
ND, the worst place in the world in terms of covid prevalence, finally gives in and orders a mask mandate. I guess once it gets bad enough, everyone eventually gives in when the healthcare system is buckling. Since we know how the pandemic works, its the height of ignorance and stupidity to wait for that to happen.
On the topic of frequent, routine testing, I have yet to get a covid test, and I look inside people's throats, while they often cough, about 50 times a week. Of course I am wearing a (6 month old) n95 and faceshield. My nurses wear n95 masks generally, but some just use surgical masks. Everybody in the hospital wears a mask. Most departments it's just surgical masks. No outbreaks in our facility, and the staff covid prevalence is half that of the community. There is no regular staff testing, just if symptomatic.
IMHO, if masks are used at all times and social distancing measures are followed, regularly testing in an organization or for individuals is not necessary, but maybe a nice peace of mind thing. If testing isn't daily, and not coming back within a day, probably just theater in terms of stopping an outbreak in a setting that is lax with masks or distancing. And if you aren't lax, then an outbreak is unlikely anyway.
Now, streamlined and quick testing if symptomatic is critical and if an organization can offer that, then great. My skepticism is more with a weekly or monthly sort of screening setup.
ND, the worst place in the world in terms of covid prevalence, finally gives in and orders a mask mandate. I guess once it gets bad enough, everyone eventually gives in when the healthcare system is buckling. Since we know how the pandemic works, its the height of ignorance and stupidity to wait for that to happen.
On the topic of frequent, routine testing, I have yet to get a covid test, and I look inside people's throats, while they often cough, about 50 times a week. Of course I am wearing a (6 month old) n95 and faceshield. My nurses wear n95 masks generally, but some just use surgical masks. Everybody in the hospital wears a mask. Most departments it's just surgical masks. No outbreaks in our facility, and the staff covid prevalence is half that of the community. There is no regular staff testing, just if symptomatic.
IMHO, if masks are used at all times and social distancing measures are followed, regularly testing in an organization or for individuals is not necessary, but maybe a nice peace of mind thing. If testing isn't daily, and not coming back within a day, probably just theater in terms of stopping an outbreak in a setting that is lax with masks or distancing. And if you aren't lax, then an outbreak is unlikely anyway.
Now, streamlined and quick testing if symptomatic is critical and if an organization can offer that, then great. My skepticism is more with a weekly or monthly sort of screening setup.