UMC Chief Medical Officer emphasizes staying 6 feet apart does help prevent virus spread
EL PASO, Texas -- "Social distancing" is a term you might be hearing all the time, but six feet might be farther than you think. It's not a number experts picked at random.
"It is spread by droplets so therefore when we talk about six feet, it's a matter that we think the droplets will fall to the ground," said University Medical Center's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joel Hendryx. "If they're not on you or your face, certainly what happens is you may not be infected."
Dr. Hendryx says there is still much we do not know about the virus. Scientists don't know if the virus is seasonal, meaning warmer summer temperatures could assist the fight. Experts also aren't entirely sure when those infected are able to spread the virus to others. It it also not known if those who have already been infected are immune to getting the virus again.
"We want to understand when they become infective," Dr. Hendryx said. "We want to understand all the protective measures we can do for ourselves and other healthcare personnel, and just understanding that is going to help us mitigate community spread, and that's the important part. We want to protect our community."
Dr. Hendryx recommends adhering to the six-feet guidelines strictly and washing your hands frequently.
