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CSDE Affiliate Nicole Errett Comments on Coronavirus Shelters in New York Times

Posted: 2/14/2020 (CSDE in the News and CSDE Research)

As a response to the continuing spread of the coronavirus, Chinese government officials are isolating thousands of patients with suspected symptoms in large shelters. Though such large-scale containment measures seem necessary, experts, including CSDE Affiliate Nicole Errett, shared concerns regarding the effectiveness of shelters in a recent New York Times article. Errett explains how placing patients in immense, shared areas increases chances of spreading infections and limits the emotional support patients can receive when treated at home rather than shelters.

 

The article quoted Errett “Whenever we put people in facilities together, even during a hurricane, we are concerned about them getting infectious diseases…” Errett further stated how there are certain impalpable benefits to isolating patients at home rather than in shelters. While at home, patients can stay with their loved ones where they are able to receive emotional support during a difficult time.

Errett is a lecturer in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the UW School of Public Health and co-director of the UW Collaborative on Extreme Event Resilience (UW CEER). Errett was also featured in a New York Times article last week on how US hospitals are preparing for coronavirus patients.

 

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