Covid-19 crisis Open up the economy safely
I have suggested that we abandon safe entry, trace together and contact tracing. Instead, we focus on catching the symptomatic cases and asking these cases to be in isolation.

Why? The symptomatic cases are likely to be spreaders. (Not all are spreaders, but some are).

The asymptomatic cases - which is detected through contact tracing - are less likely to be spreaders.

See this report from WHO;
http://www.emro.who.int/health-topics/corona-virus/transmission-of-covid-19-by-asymptomatic-cases.html

If my suggestion is adopted - it is possible to open up the economy, air travel and the tourism industry.

We can be confident about detecting the symptomatic cases and stopping the spread at that point. The uninfected people (and the asymptomatic cases) can be allowed to continue their daily routine.

Will the incoming travelers be a risk in spreading the coronavirus?

Their risk is the same as the risk of spreading among the local population. In most cases, the infection is mild and will not cause serious consequences. 

For the cases that become serious, we have an effective way to catch them when the symptoms appear.

Do you agree?

Tan Kin Lian
 

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