Risk evaluation methodology for health hazards could be applied to COVID-19. One principle on the selection of risk control measures can be based on the Hierarchy of Control. The control of hazards and reduction of risks can be accomplished by following this principle. Let’s examine which control is the most effective and what options do we have to counter this COVID-19 that is actively spreading around the globe.
Elimination
Elimination of risk means the total removal of human’s exposure to this bio-hazard. This is a permanent solution and should be attempted first. However, this control is feasible only if all humans stop breathing (to avoid catching the droplets from infected persons) or to inject every human with a vaccine which is currently not available at this moment. This option is out.
Substitution
This control option isn’t feasible as well since we cannot abandon the earth and transport everyone to another planet to start afresh with non-infected human, could we?
Engineering Controls
Unless all infected person could be identified, tracked and quarantined to stop this COVID-19 spread, there is no way this option could be implemented effectively. Moreover, some infected persons show no symptoms. Just look at countries like
Administrative Controls
Almost all countries have implemented this control as the 3 preceding controls are not feasible or effectively implemented. Many countries have now imposed travel restrictions and ban travelers from infected countries. Some have locked down their cities to slow down the spread. Over here, Quarantine Orders, Leave of Absence (LOA) order, Stay-at-Home orders have had been served to potential risk persons that are linked to those infected clusters or coming from infected cities. This control is temporary and would be non effective as spreading is imminent in communities.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
This is the last and only resort after all the above control measures have been considered and none has proven effective in this emergency situation. The effectiveness of this control depends critically on the protective equipment being chosen and fitted correctly, worn at all times. While WHO still does not recognize it as a pandemic, everyone knows this. At the time of writing, the world is now in serious shortage of face-masks and protective gears. Countries have had since imposed export ban on this supposedly cheap item that now costs 3-5 times more in the market. Every country with its own stockpile of face-masks is now hoarding and controlling its stock and prioritize its usage for frontline people.
Desperate Measures
With insufficient face-mask for everyone, most people now have no choice but to either improvise and make their own masks, control one self like staying in isolation, avoid crowded places, especially in confined spaces, avoid physical contact with others, practice frequent washing of hands with soap and water, beef up personal hygiene practices and avoid touching one’s face, etc. There is nothing else anyone without PPE could do except to wait out this crisis to pass or till someone comes out with a vaccine to protect the human race from this pandemic. Take care, everyone!