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Two new case studies conducted by the CDC have found that indoor group fitness classes in Honolulu and Chicago have directly led to COVID outbreaks that have infected dozens of people – and the study authors warn that masks should be kept on at all times when gyms reopen or people should continue to opt for outdoor fitness.
Throughout the past year, business owners – and particularly gym owners – have publicly argued with elected officials and / or openly flouted pandemic health regulations by keeping gyms open. Keeping abreast of one’s physical and mental health is important, they argued, and they demanded to see scientific evidence that gyms are dangerous vectors for the spread of the coronavirus.
As the New York Times reports, the Centers for Disease control has now published two case studies, one in Hawaii and the other in Chicago, which provide compelling links between group fitness classes in particular and the spread. easy of COVID-19 when masks are not to be worn. The studies confirm what was already reported by the CDC at the start of the pandemic about an outbreak during a group fitness class in South Korea.
In the Chicago study, which looked at an outbreak that infected 55 out of 81 people who attended group fitness classes at a gym over the course of a week last August, researchers found that participants in the classes reported both inconsistent mask use and classes after experiencing COVID. symptoms. Three participants interviewed actually took fitness classes on the same day or a day after they tested positive for the COVID test because they did not experience any symptoms and were morons.
These infections occurred at a time when fitness classes in Chicago were limited to 10 to 16 people maintaining a distance of six feet between them. Gyms, however, required in-door masks and temperature controls, but they allowed people to remove the masks while training.
The Honolulu outbreak appears to be linked to one particular fitness instructor, and the case study examines the rate of infectivity between a two-day period and several hours before symptoms appear. This 37-year-old instructor, referred to instructor A, was found responsible for infecting 21 other people, including a second fitness instructor. Instructor A taught 28 people a yoga class just over two days before feeling sick, and no one in the class tested positive for COVID. However, this instructor gave a spinning class the next day for 10 people, and another spinning class the next day for 10 people, six of which were the same as the 10. The 10 participants of the spinning class on the third day – the day where the instructor felt fatigue and other symptoms about four hours after class – ended up testing positive for COVID, and all had been in the class without wearing a mask.
Researchers suggest that in addition to inadequate ventilation and the lack of a mask policy, the instructor shouting commands while being highly contagious could also have helped infect 10 out of 10 people in a classroom.
At the time of the outbreak, the Honolulu Star Advertiser reported that 17 cases had been linked to two gyms, and state epidemiologist Dr Sarah Park issued a statement saying that all indoor gyms “can be fertile ground for all kinds of infections ”. And she said, “It is imperative that all gyms follow safety practices required by state and county governments. These include good physical distance in training areas and in group classes, the wearing masks at all times, consistent and complete disinfection of equipment and all surfaces. ”This suggests that these gyms had failed to enforce state mandates regarding wearing masks.
Gyms can probably work relatively safely, with mask protocols, but for those craving group fitness, these studies suggest that there are reasons not to or just do it on the job. outside. A limited study of gym goers in Norway last spring suggested that no COVID infections were linked to gyms practicing a good distance, without a mask, but there was very little virus in Norway at the time.
“Nothing is 100% sure,” said Alex Larcom of the International Association of Health Racquets and Sports Clubs, speaking to The Times. “There is never zero risk. But [health] clubs are not the primary driver of the spread of COVID. ”
Larcom cites the irresponsibility of fitness class attendees in Chicago who were either symptomatic or positive for COVID, and says, “Across society, we rely on people who are sick or think they are sick. to withdraw from society.
Obviously, the moral of the story here is that humans are and will continue to be stupid, especially but not just in America, so until you get vaccinated, beware of maskless pirouette lessons. and the Coughing Two Stairmasters.
Photo: Humphrey Muleba
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