Re: IETF 107 and Corona Virus?

[Carsten Bormann <[e-mail]>]

On 2020-02-13, at 21:55, Alexandre Petrescu <[e-mail]> wrote:
> 
> My current dilemma relating to other non-IETF travels is whether or not should I wear a mask through these transport hubs, airports, hotels, etc.

This is getting a bit off-topic, but it is of interest for the upcoming travel.

Answering the question:
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51205344
"Can wearing masks stop the spread of viruses? - BBC News”
(BBC is usually a reasonable reliable source.)

If you have reason to suspect you are infected and want to reduce the risk you pose to others, a face mask does help (that’s why surgeons use them).  As does properly sneezing/coughing, staying at home in the first place, etc.

If you need to pass through a high-risk area and you want to protect yourself, good hand hygiene is the top concern.
<https://www.wikihow.com/Wash-Your-Hands>, and have hand disinfectant around for those moments when you can’t wash your hands.  Don't touch your face.  For really high-risk areas, use a proper respirator (not just a face mask) and wear safety glasses; make sure you internalize a protocol to properly handle your personal protective equipment.  
Make sure you self-isolate for two weeks after returning to safer areas.  Stock up on food and other consumables now so you can do that when needed.

None of this is terribly relevant for IETF 107 (good hand hygiene is always to be recommended, of course - you don’t want to catch the flu either): nobody should go there that has reason to suspect they are infected, and the event is not taking place or involving travel in a high-risk area.

Above all: don’t rely on this mailing list, do talk to the medical officers that care for your organization.  (My organization currently has a travel ban to the entirety of China, and a two-week work-at-home requirement for returners from Hubei and certain cities in Zhejiang [1]. That’s all that’s needed right now, but watch those risk areas [1].)

Grüße, Carsten

[1]: https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Risikogebiete.html
[2]: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019