Frank is seventy-two and retired. He has mild hypertension, which is well-controlled by medication. No other abnormalities were found at his last physical. He has lived alone for the last ten years.
Because Frank is well aware of the risks of COVID-19, he is practicing social distancing and going out only when necessary.
Q: Why can't Frank just take care of himself, and leave me out of it?
A: The more people who are infected in a population, the harder it becomes for people like Frank to stay safe, even if they are careful in their personal habits. If contagion indefinitely stayed like the image on the left, your solution would be brilliant. But airborne/droplet contagion spreads, grows, and multiplies exponentially. That's how it works.
See, this is not a situation where Frank can make a personal decision to smoke and accept that he may suffer a mortal injury to his lungs. No. In a time of contagion, other people are a mortal risk to Frank even if he is hygienic and wise in his personal habits.
And even if Frank has the luxury of having his groceries delivered or the luxury of a friend to pick his groceries up for him, somebody who makes direct or indirect contact with Frank must pass through increasing contagion to do so.
Even when it comes to the economy, all routes through a pandemic are toll roads. As you consider your own needs, think also of Frank's needs.
"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." -- Philippians 2:3-4
Stay safe. Keep others safe.
Valerie
Because Frank is well aware of the risks of COVID-19, he is practicing social distancing and going out only when necessary.
Q: Why can't Frank just take care of himself, and leave me out of it?
A: The more people who are infected in a population, the harder it becomes for people like Frank to stay safe, even if they are careful in their personal habits. If contagion indefinitely stayed like the image on the left, your solution would be brilliant. But airborne/droplet contagion spreads, grows, and multiplies exponentially. That's how it works.
See, this is not a situation where Frank can make a personal decision to smoke and accept that he may suffer a mortal injury to his lungs. No. In a time of contagion, other people are a mortal risk to Frank even if he is hygienic and wise in his personal habits.
And even if Frank has the luxury of having his groceries delivered or the luxury of a friend to pick his groceries up for him, somebody who makes direct or indirect contact with Frank must pass through increasing contagion to do so.
"Current data suggest person-to-person transmission most commonly happens during close exposure to a person infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, primarily via respiratory droplets produced when the infected person speaks, coughs, or sneezes. Droplets can land in the mouths, noses, or eyes of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs of those within close proximity. Transmission also might occur through contact with contaminated surfaces followed by self-delivery to the eyes, nose, or mouth. The contribution of small respirable particles, sometimes called aerosols or droplet nuclei, to close proximity transmission is currently uncertain. However, airborne transmission from person-to-person over long distances is unlikely." -- CDC
Even when it comes to the economy, all routes through a pandemic are toll roads. As you consider your own needs, think also of Frank's needs.
"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." -- Philippians 2:3-4
Stay safe. Keep others safe.
Valerie
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