{"id":70595,"date":"2020-10-27T23:00:40","date_gmt":"2020-10-28T03:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/?post_type=cu_story&p=70595"},"modified":"2025-08-19T09:37:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T13:37:19","slug":"prevent-superspreader-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"cu_story","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/story\/prevent-superspreader-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"How to prevent COVID-19 ‘superspreader’ events indoors this winter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n How to prevent COVID-19 'superspreader' events indoors this winter\n <\/h1>\n \n <\/header>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/path>\n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

The second wave of COVID-19 has arrived. Cases are spiking in most European countries<\/a>, Canada is seeing the number of daily cases exceed the first peak in April\/May<\/a> and the United States is facing a potential third wave<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some countries like Brazil, India and Argentina are still in the first wave<\/a>. Others like New Zealand, Vietnam and Singapore have contained the virus<\/a>. But the second wave has arrived in the northern hemisphere, as we confront the upcoming winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most countries, the number of deaths is lower than in the first wave<\/a>; we have learned more about the virus and know that the second wave is driven by younger people, which have a lower death rate. Nevertheless, the long-term effects of this wave are yet to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mathematical modelling is used to predict the spread of diseases like COVID-19. These models must now take into consideration people\u2019s changing behaviours and the approaching winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unknown long-term effects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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There is evidence that COVID-19 infection can lead to serious heart problems<\/a>, which are currently being studied<\/a>. Some people also experience damage to the kidneys, lungs and brain<\/a>. There have also been reports of sudden deafness<\/a> and \u201cbrain fog<\/a>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We still do not know if there is immunity after infection<\/a> or whether the disease will become endemic<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second wave might have been triggered by lockdown fatigue and feelings of invincibility of young population<\/a>. But coping mechanisms like denial and rationalism<\/a>, combined with conflicting public health messages, can lead to population disobedience<\/a> and trigger a large number of cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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