Why do the young and healthy need masks? - San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Express-News journalists are researching answers to readers’ questions about COVID-19. Go to ExpressNews.com/assignmentdesk to submit a question.

Wouldn’t random testing be a good way to uncover asymptomatic carriers of the virus? If only people who are ill can be tested now, aren't we narrowing what is likely to be found?

You make a good point and Metro Health is working to increase testing in the community. As part of its efforts, it has partnered with the San Antonio Fire Department to bring free, accessible testing to underserved and minority communities. Additionally, a newly-issued health advisory prioritizes testing for vulnerable persons who are disproportionately affected by adverse COVID-19 outcomes. To register for a test, visit www.txcovidtest.org or call 512-883-2400. To see upcoming test locations visit the Metro Health website.

Why can't the young and healthy go back to work? Why can't I be trusted to make my own health decisions about when I want to wear a mask?

An individual can transmit COVID-19 to others while showing no symptoms. An individual can also transmit the virus to others up to 48 hours before beginning to show symptoms. Thus, its difficult to tell who poses a health threat to others. Since we do not have a COVID-19 vaccine yet, public health experts rely on social distancing and face coverings to slow the spread of the virus. If you wear a mask, you are protecting others from you. When others wear masks, they are protecting you.

If our number (of infected people) keeps rising, why are restrictions being lifted?

Gov. Greg Abbott lifted restrictions on closures and set guidelines for how businesses may operate when they reopen. Based on this, local public health officials have provided recommendations and phases for safe reopening. Warning indicators, such as the rate of new confirmed cases in the community or stress on our health systems, are used to guide reopening policies. These indicators may show whether increased public health safety measures are needed.

Will the pandemic prevent production and or distribution of a flu vaccine this summer?

It is still early to tell if distribution of the flu vaccine will be affected.

What is the protocol for dining in restaurants and wearing masks now that some are opened?

Cloth face coverings are required in San Antonio but do not need to be worn when consuming food or drinks. If you are dining out, the restaurant is required to operate at 25 percent of its maximum capacity, and space tables 6 feet apart. Waiters and restaurant staff will need to wear cloth face coverings.

What risk is there, if any, that aerosols from irrigation systems using recycled (purple pipe) water could be a source for coronavirus infection?

The virus that causes COVID-19 has been found in untreated wastewater. Researchers do not know whether this virus can cause disease if a person is exposed to untreated wastewater. There is no evidence to date that this has occurred. At this time, the risk of transmission through properly designed and maintained sewerage systems is thought to be low.

I’ve heard that the public libraries in San Antonio will be re-opening soon. It will be fairly easy to maintain social distancing inside a library building, but will it be safe to check out a book?

The San Antonio Public Library is closed through at least May 19. Officials have created an internal task force to draft a reopening plan. No date has been set. The plan will be based on guidance from other libraries, and city and state officials. The quarantining and disinfecting of all books, DVDs and other items will likely be necessary.

Marisa Torres cleans computer stations at BiblioTech South in San Antonio, Texas on May 4, 2020.

In the meantime, the library has digital resources and digital library card sign-up services. Go to mysapl.org or call 210-207-2500.

Bexar County’s all-digital library system, BiblioTech, is already back in operation. It loans e-books and tablets and allows patrons to use computers, printers and scanners on site. In keeping with the governor’s Open Texas plan, BiblioTech’s three branches are operating at 25 percent occupancy from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

I just received my first unemployment benefit installment for April from TWC. When, how and who will notify me of the additional $600 per week payment mandated by Congress.

An official with the Texas Workforce Commission responded: Almost everyone getting Unemployment Insurance since April 4 should be getting the additional $600 weekly benefits.

While there are reasons/programs where someone would not get paid the $600, without more information about this claimant, we can not give an accurate answer.

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