Saying we have "tested more people in this country than any other country" is not helpful. The truth is, we have tested less than 1% of our population. We cannot expect people to go back to work, school, socializing, etc, until we know who is a carrier and potential infector versus who isn't.

 

The temperature screening will catch the really low-hanging fruit of those who are actively sick and showing fever symptoms.  It will not catch anyone who is shedding virus before or after having symptoms, or shedding without showing any symptoms at all.  I just saw a case today of a woman who was "presumptive COVID-19 positive" (because she couldn't get a test while showing symptoms), who tested positive for COVID-19 4 weeks post-symptoms!

 

This virus is not behaving according to other viruses we have dealt with. And all the information is not even known yet. We must remain  super-vigilant in using all the protective gear we can when dealing with other people.

 

 

 

Stefanie Gangano

 

From: Frazier, Alicia S
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2020 3:05 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**princeton.edu
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [EXTERNAL] Re: [DCHAS-L] Ask Dr. Safety: Recovery and Contingency - A Virtual Symposium Wednesday Evening April 15th

 

 

Some people can not realize that they have a low grade temp because they don't feel cruddy until later, if at all.  They may just think that they are tired, stressed or generally run down.  In fact some of those folks that classified as asymptomatic, might be better classified as mildly symptomatic.     

 

Have you considered having the person use the thermometer while the screening person is maintaining the 6 ft distance?  The screening person could then come and read the thermometer after the incoming person sets it down.  In that case all that would need to be done is the screening person would need gloves and appropriate disinfectant wipes to clean the thermometers and other touched surfaces.  If that would logistically work?  

 

 

Alicia Frazier 

 

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of Zack Mansdorf
Sent: Friday, April 10, 2020 3:26 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [DCHAS-L] Ask Dr. Safety: Recovery and Contingency - A Virtual Symposium Wednesday Evening April 15th

 

Monna:

 

First, we actually have tested more people than any other country in the world.  Some of the testing in some countries (such as China) had poor reliability.  Antibodies normally indicate that you are over the infection if you are walking around versus being treated and I am not aware of any test for "shedding".  Tests for having the infection would not make sense if you have no symptoms (it is not practical to test 320 million people).  Having a negative test on Tuesday, means you do not have the virus on Tuesday.  Maybe you get it Wednesday.

 

Zack

 

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of Monona Rossol
Sent: Friday, April 10, 2020 2:38 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Ask Dr. Safety: Recovery and Contingency - A Virtual Symposium Wednesday Evening April 15th

 

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