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Melissa Steinseifer and her children, from left, Milo,7; Max,6; and Modi, 4, enjoy the sights and sounds along the nature trail in the Wehr Nature Center at Whitnall Park. Milwaukee County Parks are open with limited venues as residents social distance while enjoying the nature trails, blooming tulips and other warm sunny Spring weather.(Photo: Rick Wood / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Some of our world is opening and quickly. We see the pandemic numbers, but many of us have questions about how we can protect ourselves and others. What can we do to slow the transmission of COVID-19?
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has assembled a panel of experts from the University of Wisconsin's Madison and Milwaukee campuses. They will periodically answer questions from readers.
Please keep in mind scientists and doctors continue to learn much about this new virus, and guidance is changing. They will provide the best information that is available.
This story will update with more answers as we get them.Scroll to the bottom of this story to submit your own question or clickhere.
Getting outdoors for exercise with members of the same householdcan provide a great, safe way to get physical activity.When out in public spaces, maintaining a six-footdistance from others outside your household when possible is still recommended, so taking the initiative to gently move out of the way when passing others while out walking, perhaps while offering a friendly wave hello, remains a good practice to follow.
-- Amanda M. Simanek, associate professor of epidemiology, Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health at theUniversity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Many people are eager to reunite with grandchildren after months of staying safer at home, so wanting to do this is totally understandable.Given older individuals and those with chronic health conditions are at higher risk of complications from COVID-19, it will remain important for people in these groups to continue to take precautions that lower their risk of exposure to coronavirus when they start to reunite with family members.
As a general rule, socializing inoutdoor settings, while maintaining social distancing and wearing cloth masks will be safer than getting together indoors, for prolonged periods and without wearing cloth masks. Other tips that can lower risk of family members transmitting infection to each other include not sharing food, drinks or utensils, using hand sanitizer and avoiding touching one's face when together.
-- Amanda M. Simanek, associate professor of epidemiology, Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health at theUniversity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
The CDC recommends the public wear cloth masks and not use masks meant for health professionals, including N95 masks. Given that you have "significant underlying conditions," it's important that you keep yourself safe and consult your doctor on how best to do that.
Its safer to avoid public restrooms. If you must use one, be sure you have your mask on when you are inside. If you are not the only occupant, keep sixor more feet from others. Avoid touching surfacesincluding doors, faucet handles, pump soap, etc. If you can wash your hands safely and properly inside the restroom, its still a good idea to use alcohol rub to disinfect your hands once you get outside the bathroom. Avoid touching your face unless your hands are clean.
-- Ajay K. Sethi, associate professor, population health sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Neroli Salon & Spa employee Stacy Balkowski washes her hands properly. This measures is taken to insure customer safety from the COVI19 virus.(Photo: Michael Sears, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
It sounds like you are doing all the right things to protect yourself from COVID. The only other things are to pay attention to other aspects of your health and wellness. Maintaining a good diet, exercise as you may be able, consult a doctor if you are experiencing any issues that require attention, and maintain social connectedness for your mental health.
-- Ajay K. Sethi, associate professor, population health sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
It is frustrating, but to be fair, our understanding of the risks of spreading COVID has evolved greatly week-to-week since the beginning of the pandemic, and we still have so much more to learn. We didnt fully appreciate that asymptomatically infected people are numerous and can transmit the virus to others. We also never knew until recently that the virus can hang around in the air in an indoor environment after an infected person has simply talked.The CDC recommends the people wear cloth masks in public and continue to maintain physical distancing.
-- Ajay K. Sethi, associate professor, population health sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The lateststudyfrom researchers at the National Institutes of Health shows that the virus can hang around in the air for 8 to 14 minutes in an indoor environment after just talking. This is why it is important to wear a mask in grocery stores and in public.
-- Ajay K. Sethi, associate professor, population health sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
There is currently no evidence to suggest that coronavirus can be transmitted by mosquitos.
-- Amanda M. Simanek, associate professor of epidemiology, Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health at theUniversity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Ajay Sethi, associate professor of population health sciences, teaches at the Unversity of WIsconsin-Madison.(Photo: University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Amanda M. Simanek, associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health.(Photo: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)
Contact John Diedrich at (414) 224-2408 or jdiedrich@journalsentinel.com. Followhim on Twitter at @john_diedrich,Instagram at @john_diedrich, LinkedInorFacebook.
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'Once N95 masks are available, should I wear one?' and other coronavirus questions answered by Wisconsin health experts - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
