And gawd forbid they're an asymptomatic super-spreader.

Another variable: Because of lack of testing, it is virtually impossible to know how many people in your area are carriers.

We won't have adequate tests for a long time.

The best strategy is to assume you have it and limit contact as much as possible, as though you don't want to give it to anyone else.

But more importantly, you are missing one of the main variables. That is how many other people are self-isolating.

My risk in wandering the streets would be near zero if nobody else was out. It goes up depending on how many other people are out. Specifically, how many carriers are out.

A crap-shoot on a blank table.

Everybody should, as much as practical.

with other people this hypothetical person is having, and then look at the region and see what the infection rate is. But there are all sorts of unknowns. But it seems to me like risk rises with the number of close encounters (within six feet) and I wouldn't even know how to factor in the airborne component. Is the person mostly inside or outside, riding trains or jogging alone on the beach.

It's an interesting question. I don't even think we know what the infection rates are in most states due to lack of testing. So it would be impossible to say "X people are infected for every Y people who aren't infected." Not every person, obviously, you encounter is infected, but that number is rising every single day. So it becomes more risky with time elapsed.

The people dying today might have been infected three weeks ago and felt great until five or seven days ago.

Myself included. Granted my team works outside individually all day. We no longer get within 6 feet of each other and everyone is issued a jumbo sized container of sanitizer. Then go straight home and stay there.

But some people’s job demand the have close contact with people like first responders and medical personnel. And grocery employees.

I know I would be safer just sitting home, but society can never truly shut down.

If I see the employees once a week at the grocery store, instead of every day, I'm reducing my risk and theirs. And if, in between trips, I'm sitting at home, I'm reducing their risk (and mine) that much more.

I normally go to the grocery daily as we decided what we want for supper daily. But am trying to keep it to twice a week now and actually planning menus ahead. It wired going into the grocery for 4-6 items and still seeing everyone else loading up their carts.

Glad to see more PISSED OFF!

We should be sick of being PISSED ON!

Please tell me you're kidding.

We only have two cases in the entire county and it’s humongous. Lake county is extremely large. I mean Tom Hanks and wife are totally ok now.

by blocking the availability of tests. Even though he has theoretically lifted the de facto testing ban, we are way behind the 8-ball.

Start acting like it matters.

So you won't act until ordered by your Republican governor? You think any Republican gives a shit about your safety?

...since you're spreading woo.

on the 18th we now have 33 and one in Fayetteville which is a college town. Classes are online, but they still live in close quarters in dorms.

And I live in Trump country. That's a double whammy. I really don't want to know the answer to that question.

and how various degrees of social distancing work to stop the spread:

Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to flatten the curve
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/


Note access to all of WaPo coronavirus coverage is free: https://www.washingtonpost.com/coronavirus/