# What judgments/assumptions do you make about someone who catches coronavirus these days? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [January 24, 2021, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390 "2021-01-24T21:43:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/61 "2021-01-25T18:24:15Z")
> [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > … > Meanwhile, it’s like there’s this whole world of people in crowded living and working conditions that’s practically invisible, probably because it’s a lot harder to craft a morally righteous narrative around them. Just the latest variant on this long-standing media tendency: > **[Missing white woman syndrome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_white_woman_syndrome)** > > Missing white woman syndrome is a term used by social scientists and media commentators to denote disproportionate media coverage, especially on television, of missing-person cases toward white females compared to those females of colour or males. The syndrome also encompasses disproportionate media attention to females who are young, attractive, white, and upper middle class. Although the term was coined in the context of missing-person cases, it is sometimes used of coverage o American news a... ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/62 "2021-01-25T19:11:38Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > I hear you. Especially on the “only child” thing. We have let our son, an only child, have pretty much unfettered access to computer and video games, as he is playing online with other kids he knows from school. We also arranged some time, back when the weather was nicer, with other kids where we stayed outside, and everyone was still masked. Mars has just turned 9, and he’s not quite old enough to really be into the whole talking on the phone thing–and most of his friends aren’t playing the sorts of games that go on-line easily. It’s been a real challenge. Lots of youtube. ---
**Author:** ![FigNorton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fignorton/32/5619_2.png) [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/63 "2021-01-25T19:28:25Z")
I don’t think I’d connect these phenomena. One is an ugly view of what constitutes a newsworthy victim, the other is searching for scapegoats. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/64 "2021-01-25T19:29:17Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Do you assume that with all the information and time that’s passed with restrictions in place, that they were somehow negligent? Are you more inclined to think they “deserved” it if so? Given that you don’t know the circumstances of their infection, how “interested” are you in the “how”? We’ve been told that things like masks and hand washing can reduce but not eliminate the risk. Apparently there is some small risk from getting COVID from surfaces. I don’t assume anyone did anything stupid if I hear they caught the coronavirus. It’s contagious, people get it. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/65 "2021-01-26T02:42:13Z")
I assume that they’ve spent time indoors around an infected person, but it’s entirely possible that they briefly entered an enclosed space in which there was no person at all but where there had previously been one or more infected persons. Aerosolized droplets can remain in the air for minutes or even hours. Until now, merely coming into contact with some droplets hasn’t been enough to cause transmission, but the newer strains may force us to rethink those assumptions as they bind to receptors more effectively. ---
**Author:** ![SayTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SayTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SayTwo)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/66 "2021-01-26T04:21:10Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Aerosolized droplets can remain in the air for minutes or even hours. Until now, merely coming into contact with some droplets hasn’t been enough to cause transmission… You sure about that last part? ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/67 "2021-01-26T04:25:22Z")
I suppose I should operationalize ‘some’… ---
**Author:** ![SayTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SayTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SayTwo)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/68 "2021-01-26T04:28:21Z")
Well, I’ve read some studies (sorry @Huffalump, I’m just scattershooting here and don’t have my textbooks handy) that have explored whether infection can be caused by a very minimal amount of virus. Seems that the answer is not yet clear. Given how many people have been infected with this virus, and how scant the number of rigorous experimental studies of the type, I’m not sure I’d be comfortable placing any thresholds on how many droplets it takes. ---
**Author:** ![FigNorton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fignorton/32/5619_2.png) [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/69 "2021-01-26T04:49:32Z")
That’s some low hanging fruit. Yes, number of droplets isn’t probably useful for risk assessment. I too have no textbooks handy. ---
**Author:** ![SayTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SayTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SayTwo)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/70 "2021-01-26T05:01:21Z")
Oh, I don’t think it’s that low hanging. You know, there are some pretty strong opinions on this board that places like grocery stores are getting close to risk-free when compared to things like indoor dining or bars. And if infection spreads that easily, with low amounts of virus, they may be wrong. Very deadly wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/71 "2021-01-26T05:30:22Z")
I know people who contracted COVID who are in inherently high risk professions which are essential. I feel very bad for them. I know people who are not required to expose themselves to nearly as much risk but spent a lot of time socializing in large groups indoors and making fun of cowards “hiding in their homes destroying the economy”. When a few of them got COVID I bit my tongue but had evil thoughts. One of them almost certainly infected his parents one of whom passed away. He insists he regrets nothing. Despite having himself gone from 100 mile bike rides and 3 mile swims to struggling to climb stairs two months after his “full recovery” I know people who are in neither of these groups and as far as I know we’re taking reasonable precautions but still got infected. I feel very bad for them too. So yeah, it depends. ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/73 "2021-01-30T05:36:27Z")
I would have to have been familiar with how the person has been taking precautions. If they seem to have been diligent. Then I would put it down to a momentary lapse that we are all prone to. But if they had not been taking it seriously then I would be sorry for them getting it, but may feel a bit of schadenfreude. I have no idea if spell checker got that schaden… right. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/74 "2021-01-30T18:03:03Z")
> [@Kedikat](#): > > If they seem to have been diligent. Then I would put it down to a momentary lapse that we are all prone to. You don’t have to have a “momentary lapse” to get COVID. You can do everything that is asked of us and greatly _reduce_ your chance of catching it. That necessarily means that you can do everything that is asked of us and still catch it. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/75 "2021-01-30T18:35:20Z")
> [@Kedikat](#): > > hen I would put it down to a momentary lapse that we are all prone to People need to understand the following: **you can get covid even when taking all available recommended precautions, even without lapses.** ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/76 "2021-01-30T20:27:40Z")
Can I add that getting sick is a medical issue, not a morality issue…? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/77 "2021-01-30T21:40:41Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Can I add that getting sick is a medical issue, not a morality issue I do love when you’re my wingwoman, my dear Broomie! And I look forward to serving as your wingman again too. Zoom up my way again once we’ve both had our shots. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/78 "2021-01-30T22:00:48Z")
As of yesterday I’m on the Official List for company employees… now all we have to do is get supplies of the vaccine. Supply line issues, again… ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/79 "2021-01-30T22:31:16Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > You don’t have to have a “momentary lapse” to get COVID. You can do everything that is asked of us and greatly _reduce_ your chance of catching it. That necessarily means that you can do everything that is asked of us and still catch it. I always worked with the assumption that I would get COVID. I wear my mask to mitigate risks to both myself and others, but mitigate doesn’t mean eliminate. And I’ve found that at times it is near impossible to social distance properly when grocery shopping because we didn’t design those spaces for it. Other than visiting my mother, all my social activities came to a halt and have not resumed. I do go out to some local stores to pick up art supplies on occasion though. If I can’t go out then I need something to do at home and painting toy soldiers does it for me. But I might still get it despite taking care. ---
**Author:** ![FigNorton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fignorton/32/5619_2.png) [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/80 "2021-01-30T23:13:46Z")
So you don’t get bumped because you had it already? I heard some places were doing that. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390/81 "2021-01-30T23:22:51Z")
Nope. Not for “essential workers”. I guess the rationale is that the vaccine acts as a booster to our hard-won natural immunity. They don’t want us getting sick again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-judgments-assumptions-do-you-make-about-someone-who-catches-coronavirus-these-days/931390.md?page=5)