Courtesy of Washington University
Dr. Hilary M. Babcock
As St. Louis city and county have begun easing COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, many institutions, such as the Saint Louis Zoo and St. Louis Aquarium, have announced their reopening plans. Many plans detail new protocols and mask requirements. The attractions' reopenings would have likely been the first time residents would again be in such large groups. But protests sparked by the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have brought large groups together sooner. So how can St. Louisans demonstrate in big crowds or return to the area's attractions safely?
It's important to remember: “Any time we have increased contact between people and increasing numbers of people gathering, we can anticipate an increase in cases and transmission," says Dr. Hilary M. Babcock, BJC's director of infection prevention and Washington University infectious disease specialist. This increased mobilization of St. Louisans could also lead to a potential rise of cases in the next four to eight weeks.
Babcock advises people to keep in mind that, in general, being outside is safer than being inside. And, being in large spaces is safer than being in small spaces. This “decreases risk of virus transmission. When a virus is released into larger volumes of air, it's less likely that the virus will find its way to someone else's nose, mouth, or eyes." Being outside in large areas also allows for easier social distancing.
She urges people to still adhere to the same guidelines:
- Wear a mask or face covering of some kind.
- Maintain social distancing of at least six feet, even if everyone else is wearing a mask.
- Everyone should be carrying hand sanitizer and keeping hand sanitizer in the car.
- Wash hands.
- Everyone who’s sick should stay home.
If someone is not masking, Babcock advises to stay even farther away from them. Unmasked individuals cause the other protective measures to become even more important, she says.
She doesn't deter protesting though: “We recognize structural racism and police violence are public health crises that have a lot of impact on our community as well.”
Babcock notes that some black men and women might avoid wearing masks because covering their faces might make them a target for harassment and racial profiling. "Everyone, including law enforcement, should make an effort to recognize that masks are currently recommended as a public health intervention for everyone," she says.
