Coronavirus spreading fast

Attending a religious service with more than 500 worshippers

Houses of worship remain closed in Uganda but packed houses of worship with people from all over singing and loudly talking are a recipe for coronavirus disaster. Several large outbreaks of COVID-19 have been linked to religious gatherings, so it should come as zero surprise that worshipping in a large, group setting is incredibly risky. The risk level is comparable to going to a sports stadium, attending a large music concert, or going to a political rally. All have a risk level of 9 out of10.

Working out at a gym

While many people have returned back to their gym or health club, experts maintain that doing so puts you at a high risk, to the tune of an 8 out of 10 risk factor.

Eating at a buffet

Don’t even think about dining at a buffet anytime soon. Even before the coronavirus first surfaced in Wuhan, China, buffets were considered a health risk. So, it should come as zero surprise that during the pandemic, they are considered high risk with a factor of 8 out of 10.

Travelling by taxi

Travelling by taxi poses a moderately high risk of exposure to the virus with a factor of 7 out of 10. Shared surfaces, close quarters, and being in the same space as so many other people from across the community are just a few of the ingredients that could pose an infection risk.

Eating with others at home or restaurant

Due to the nature of airflow in restaurants, eating indoors is a moderately high coronavirus risk with a factor of 7 out of 10. Aside from getting takeout, dining at open air restaurant is your safest option. Just keep in mind that tables should be spaced 6-feet apart. Also, if you are dining with others who don’t live in the same home, you are now part of their bubble with a risk factor of 2 out of 10.

Having dinner at someone else’s house jumps into the next risk level, moderate, according to experts who gave it a 5 out of 10 risk rating. Why? Not only is social distancing difficult, but consider all the shared surfaces and spaces—and the likelihood that you won’t be wearing a mask as you drink and dine.

Grilling with friends and family may seem safe since it takes place outdoors, but experts maintain it is moderately risky. Again, it is difficult to stay six feet apart when you are dining and drinking with friends and family.

Hugging or shaking hands when greeting

Early on in the pandemic, health experts discouraged hugging or shaking hands when greeting others as the virus can easily be spread this way. This has a risk factor of 7 out of 10. Luckily there are other ways to greet people that don’t involve direct contact.

Attending a wedding or funeral

Weddings and funerals—both of which involve gatherings of large groups of people who don’t live together—pose a moderately high coronavirus risk, per experts with a factor of 7 out of 10.

Going to a hair salon or barbershop

Salons have been allowed to re-open, but the risk as you get your hair treated or cut is 7 out 10, according to experts—even if both parties are wearing masks. A safer option is having someone come to your home to cut your hair or having them perform the service outdoors.

Working in an office building

You should probably stay out of your office for the time being. According to experts, working a week in an office building has a 6 out 10 risk factor.

Sending kids to school or day care

This has a risk factor of 6 out of 10, according to experts. This is obviously a huge concern right now, as schools across the country are devising their educational strategy for the 2020-2021 academic year. While risk factors can vary by age group, the fact that children are often asymptomatic spreaders, there are many shared surfaces, and there is great difficulty in educating students while maintaining social distancing, all add up to a moderately risky situation.

Visiting an elderly relative or friend in their home

Visiting an older relative or friend in their home is moderately risky. Even though the risk factor is 6 out of 10, experts have been discouraging exposure to the higher risk population—elderly included—since the beginning of the pandemic.

Walking in a busy downtown

Even if you are wearing a mask, walking around in a busy downtown area is a moderate-low risk for the virus.

Going to a hospital

Unless you have to sit in a doctor’s waiting room, you probably shouldn’t. According to experts, there is a moderate-low risk involved—which can vary drastically in regards to the type of doctor’s office you are sitting in. This is why many medical establishments are avoiding the waiting room altogether, asking patients to visit on appointment only.