By Paul Goldfinger, MD and sponsor of the OG Town-Wide Yard Sale. 5/1/21.
From the AMA Morning Rounds--Here are some guidelines that can impact attendance at our yard sales:
“It’s safe to take off masks for some outdoor activities, especially for people who are fully vaccinated. This new guidance follows research showing SARS-CoV-2 does not spread readily outdoors, but there are still circumstances when masks should be worn outdoors.”
“If a person has not yet received their required second dose in a two dose series, they are not fully protected until two weeks after dose #2.
“Full vaccination is achieved two weeks after a single-dose vaccine such as Johnson and Johnson.
“Fully vaccinated people can safely skip the mask while attending a small outdoor gathering with a mix of fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people.”
This sounds like a yard sale in Ocean Grove, but it seems to us that attendance at an OG yard sale is safest if you wear a mask while shopping and spread out/wait your turn. Our attendances tends to be small numbers at a time. And you never know who is vaccinated. and who is safe to hug.
Sellers should put out antiseptic solution, but if you attend any event where you will touch objects, bring your own hand antiseptic.
As for a crowded flea market, the CDC says, “It is still important for everyone, fully vaccinated or not to wear a mask and practice physical distancing while attending a crowded, outdoor event such as a parade or sporting event.”
It will be impossible to practice distancing at the giant flea market, and some might be coughing while unmasked. Will the Chamber of Commercials be responsible and cancel that June event or will they close their eyes and hope that everything will be OK?
“Company Bow” by the cast of Monty Python’s Spamalot. Listen to them clomp away at the end.