What Covid-19 precautions should you take for Mother’s Day, graduations and other events?

Dr. Leana Wen: We all know that the unique Omicron variant was already extra transmissible than earlier variants just like the Delta variant. People contaminated with Omicron tended to have milder illness than these contaminated with Delta. And although the vaccines are much less efficient towards Omicron than towards some earlier variants, vaccines and boosters nonetheless present wonderful safety towards extreme illness on account of Omicron.

The identical appears to be the case with these new Omicron subvariants. There isn’t any proof that they trigger extra extreme illness, and vaccination and boosters nonetheless are the very best type of safety towards extreme sickness. They do, although, appear to be much more transmissible than the unique Omicron BA.1, which implies that avoiding the coronavirus is even tougher than earlier than.

CNN: Are these new subvariants nonetheless unfold the identical method?

Wen: Sure. As a reminder, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, is a respiratory virus that may be unfold by shut contact and by the airborne route (by means of the air). If you’re round somebody who’s contaminated, they usually cough or sneeze, these particles could possibly be transmitted to you.

Additionally, as a result of Covid-19 is airborne, it could possibly be transmitted simply by somebody respiration or talking. There may be additionally the theoretical risk of floor transmission, which means that if somebody who’s contaminated touches a doorknob, you then contact it and you then contact your nostril or mouth, you can be contaminated.

These new variants are so contagious {that a} material masks simply is not enough. You actually ought to be carrying a high-quality respirator masks, like an N95, KN95 or KF94. Make certain the masks is well-fitting. Adults who cannot tolerate such masks or youngsters too younger to put on these masks ought to put on at the very least a 3-ply surgical masks. To make sure higher match, they may additionally put on a material masks on prime.

CNN: What sorts of precautions ought to people take when going to commencement events, Mom’s Day celebrations and different occasions?

Wen: There are three foremost forms of precautions — vaccines, testing and masking. What number of you determine to take is dependent upon your medical circumstances, the extent of Covid-19 in your neighborhood and your individual danger calculus for the way a lot you need to preserve avoiding Covid-19.

First, let’s discuss in regards to the three precautions. Vaccines and boosters shield very properly towards extreme illness. Additionally they scale back the possibility of an infection. Ensure you are updated in your booster, together with deciding a couple of second booster if you’re eligible.

Taking a fast house take a look at proper earlier than get-togethers may scale back danger. These exams measure how infectious you’re at that cut-off date, so they need to be taken as near the gathering as attainable. Having a damaging take a look at three days in the past solely says that you do not have sufficient Covid-19 at that time to point out up on the take a look at; it would not say that you just aren’t infectious now. If everybody takes a damaging take a look at proper earlier than getting collectively, that additionally reduces danger.

After all, masking additionally reduces danger. I do not assume it’s totally sensible to ask that folks getting collectively for dinner masks, and a number of social occasions that contain food and drinks cannot realistically implement masking. However if you’re an individual at excessive danger for extreme sickness from Covid-19 and actually need to keep away from the coronavirus, it is at all times a selection so that you can masks even when others round you are not.

You would attend a commencement ceremony in an N95 or different high-quality masks. You would go to the reception after the place others are consuming and consuming however you select to not. And you can select solely to go to a small gathering for Mom’s Day with shut household, all of whom are cautious and examined proper earlier than, moderately than a big occasion.

CNN: Would you advocate that occasions have vaccine and testing necessities?

Wen: That is dependent upon the occasion. If it is outdoor, I do not assume both requirement is important. Indoor occasions with lots of people, particularly in areas with increased Covid-19 transmission, ought to contemplate requiring proof of vaccination and ideally boosters. Having same-day testing additionally reduces danger.

If you’re at excessive danger for Covid-19 problems, or should you actually don’t need to get the coronavirus, you would possibly need to take further precautions your self. Put on a masks, as I discussed above, and skip indoor occasions with food and drinks until you’re OK forgoing the food and drinks and masking the entire time. Create a plan prematurely, together with selecting to go away should you really feel uncomfortable.

I might additionally advise people who any time you’re associating with others, you’ve a danger of contracting Covid-19. That does not imply you should not do any gatherings. It implies that try to be conscious of your danger and assume by means of, prematurely, how a lot you need to preserve avoiding the coronavirus. If you wish to keep away from it, then take further precautions. Know that the brand new and much more contagious subvariants imply that it is even tougher to keep away from the coronavirus than earlier than.

Some folks could determine that they actually need to attend a higher-risk occasion regardless of the dangers. If that is the case, they need to get examined three days after the occasion and positively earlier than visiting immunocompromised relations. Additionally, know prematurely if you’re eligible for remedies like antiviral drugs.

At this level within the pandemic, it is unrealistic to inform folks to keep away from gatherings. However we can assist folks perceive and weigh their very own dangers, and in addition take precautions each on the occasions and after to cut back the chance to themselves and others round them.