I've been wanting to write this thread for a while. It has been inspired by hearing a common thought: why can't people just "listen"? If people just followed the rules, we wouldn't be in this mess. I think this is oversimplification of the problem with COVID: 1/

It is true, there are people who haven't been following guidelines (by definition that happened a LOT at Christmas/NYE in my region), but even before, we know transmission in private gatherings happens. 2/
These private gatherings are pictured to be big raucous parties, but in reality, even before lockdown, this is just people having dinner, watching TV, doing things we did before on a daily basis. These little ripples when added across the country make a big wave.. 3/
...and little can be done about this apart from positive messaging. You can't very well have police patrolling neighbourhoods across the country. 4/
Next thing is we keep hearing over and over and over, stay home. There are diminishing returns with this advice, but also, most people who can stay home ARE. So what's the issue? There are a HUGE # of people who can't stay home because they work in essential jobs 5/
These are jobs in factories, warehouses, transport companies, etc. What's worse is that many people who work in these sectors have large households so it can amplify to many people all at once. Neither of these are prevented by lockdown or curfew. 6/
Many workers here go to work feeling unwell (when quite contagious) because the alternative is being off for several days and potentially not having money to pay for essentials. 7/
When compared to the message "Stay home!" we don't hear about the (huge) issue in tweet #6&7, though we are starting to: paid sick leave, community testing blitzes, isolation centres. 8/
Another factor is winter. SARS-COV2 is a resp virus, and like other resp viruses, its spread happens best indoors with prolonged, close contact (enhanced by poor ventilation). This is why historically we see flu or common cold outbreaks especially in winter. 9/
A common thing I hear is that what's happening to us right now is because we "just didn't do enough" or we were "reckless". Sure, some of the problem could be ways we handled outbreak, but there is a lot that was not in our control. 10/
A resp virus which spreads best at and just before the onset of symps (often very mild) means that it's not something we could ever contain in most circumstances. Yep, some countries were successful, but it's complex and goes beyond just, "everyone followed the rules" 11/
Now on to the lockdown: there is a lot of criticism that we "just haven't locked down enough". That may be the case, but going beyond the restrictions we already have, apart from closing essential services, there are few options left. 12/
The curfew in Quebec seems like it would work if your impression of the situation was that spread is happening because people are not staying home. But as I mentioned above, it is much more complex, and this does not address some of the major drivers... 13/
...some that we could act on (occupational safety, paid sick leave, isolation centres etc) and others we can't do much more about without getting heavy-handed (indoor transmission in private gatherings) 14/
Ironically, a curfew could potentially worsen things if more people on average are gathering inside. Unintended consequences are important to consider. A large intervention is often like squeezing a balloon. 15/
Oh and by the way, though no one likes restrictions and lockdowns, it should be said that at some point it definitely becomes necessary to attempt to slow spread and reduce eventual strain on hospitals. 16/
Summary:
1. Pandemic is complex and much more than just people not listening.
2. We should think about things lockdowns/curfews don't address like occupational exposure
3. Advice to reduce contacts currently is important, but is not the only focus of public health response 17/
4. There are many factors we can't control (e.g. weather) that play a big role, so to blame current situation squarely on failure on something we did or didn't do, is not accurate. 18/
This past year I've learned so much about public health and infectious diseases (i'm a specialist in latter, and work closely with former), and I'm still riddled with uncertainty! Ecstatic that vaccination is here and we can see that light at the end of the tunnel! 19/19

More from Society

This is a piece I've been thinking about for a long time. One of the most dominant policy ideas in Washington is that policy should, always and everywhere, move parents into paid labor. But what if that's wrong?

My reporting here convinced me that there's no large effect in either direction on labor force participation from child allowances. Canada has a bigger one than either Romney or Biden are considering, and more labor force participation among women.

But what if that wasn't true?

Forcing parents into low-wage, often exploitative, jobs by threatening them and their children with poverty may be counted as a success by some policymakers, but it’s a sign of a society that doesn’t value the most essential forms of labor.

The problem is in the very language we use. If I left my job as a New York Times columnist to care for my 2-year-old son, I’d be described as leaving the labor force. But as much as I adore him, there is no doubt I’d be working harder. I wouldn't have stopped working!

I tried to render conservative objections here fairly. I appreciate that @swinshi talked with me, and I'm sorry I couldn't include everything he said. I'll say I believe I used his strongest arguments, not more speculative ones, in the piece.

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🌿𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓 : 𝑫𝒉𝒓𝒖𝒗𝒂 & 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒏𝒖

Once upon a time there was a Raja named Uttānapāda born of Svayambhuva Manu,1st man on earth.He had 2 beautiful wives - Suniti & Suruchi & two sons were born of them Dhruva & Uttama respectively.
#talesofkrishna https://t.co/E85MTPkF9W


Now Suniti was the daughter of a tribal chief while Suruchi was the daughter of a rich king. Hence Suruchi was always favored the most by Raja while Suniti was ignored. But while Suniti was gentle & kind hearted by nature Suruchi was venomous inside.
#KrishnaLeela


The story is of a time when ideally the eldest son of the king becomes the heir to the throne. Hence the sinhasan of the Raja belonged to Dhruva.This is why Suruchi who was the 2nd wife nourished poison in her heart for Dhruva as she knew her son will never get the throne.


One day when Dhruva was just 5 years old he went on to sit on his father's lap. Suruchi, the jealous queen, got enraged and shoved him away from Raja as she never wanted Raja to shower Dhruva with his fatherly affection.


Dhruva protested questioning his step mother "why can't i sit on my own father's lap?" A furious Suruchi berated him saying "only God can allow him that privilege. Go ask him"
https://t.co/6cRR2B3jBE
Viruses and other pathogens are often studied as stand-alone entities, despite that, in nature, they mostly live in multispecies associations called biofilms—both externally and within the host.

https://t.co/FBfXhUrH5d


Microorganisms in biofilms are enclosed by an extracellular matrix that confers protection and improves survival. Previous studies have shown that viruses can secondarily colonize preexisting biofilms, and viral biofilms have also been described.


...we raise the perspective that CoVs can persistently infect bats due to their association with biofilm structures. This phenomenon potentially provides an optimal environment for nonpathogenic & well-adapted viruses to interact with the host, as well as for viral recombination.


Biofilms can also enhance virion viability in extracellular environments, such as on fomites and in aquatic sediments, allowing viral persistence and dissemination.
Margatha Natarajar murthi - Uthirakosamangai temple near Ramanathapuram,TN
#ArudraDarisanam
Unique Natarajar made of emerlad is abt 6 feet tall.
It is always covered with sandal paste.Only on Thriuvadhirai Star in month Margazhi-Nataraja can be worshipped without sandal paste.


After removing the sandal paste,day long rituals & various abhishekam will be
https://t.co/e1Ye8DrNWb day Maragatha Nataraja sannandhi will be closed after anointing the murthi with fresh sandal paste.Maragatha Natarajar is covered with sandal paste throughout the year


as Emerald has scientific property of its molecules getting disturbed when exposed to light/water/sound.This is an ancient Shiva temple considered to be 3000 years old -believed to be where Bhagwan Shiva gave Veda gyaana to Parvati Devi.This temple has some stunning sculptures.