Coronavirus: America battens the hatches after CDC says no mass gatherings of more than 50 people for 8 weeks
Since large events and mass gatherings can fuel the spread of COVID-19, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new guidelines that recommend canceling all events that consist of 50 or more people for the next eight weeks across the US.
"The CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the US. Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the US via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities," says the CDC guideline.
The CDC describes large events and mass gatherings as a "planned or spontaneous event" with a large number of people in attendance that could "strain the planning and response resources" of the community hosting the event. It includes conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings and other types of assemblies.
The recommendation does not apply to the day-to-day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning or businesses, CDC officials say.
"This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce the introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus. This recommendation is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials," says the CDC.
Dr Nancy Messonnier, Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, has said on multiple occasions that the CDC is recommending social distancing to check disease transmission at the community level.
As of March 16, over 1,770 cases have been reported in the US and 69 have died. Globally, over 6,500 have died and 169,385 have fallen sick.
The health experts in the latest guideline also strongly recommend that all event organizers and staff should prepare for the possibility of outbreaks in their communities. "Creating an emergency plan for mass gatherings and large community events can help protect you and the health of your event participants and the local community," says the CDC.
The experts say many factors need to be considered when determining the need to postpone or cancel a large gathering. These include the overall number of attendees and the level of transmission in the local community and in the areas from which the attendees will travel.
The experts are asking organizers to cancel gatherings of more than 10 people for organizations that serve higher-risk populations. At a substantial level of community transmission, they suggest canceling mass gatherings of any size.
The experts suggest that event organizers should analyze the density of attendees within a confined area. "Based on what is currently known about the virus, spread from person-to-person happens most frequently among close contacts (within 6 feet)," say officials.
The CDC says at any event, prevention strategies and proper precautions should be taken, including making sure people are washing their hands and not getting too close. It says all organizers must ensure that the events have supplies for event staff and participants, such as hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, tissues, trash baskets, disposable facemasks, cleaners and disinfectants.
"Handshakes and high-fives are often exchanged at meetings and sporting events and these can be ways in which COVID-19 can be transmitted from person to person. As a way of decreasing the social pressure to engage in these common behaviors, consider displaying signs (physical and/or electronic) that discourage these actions during the gathering," the CDC says.