How to avoid becoming a COVID-19 close contact

November 20, 2020  |  By Monica Talbot Ogelby 

Editor’s Note: At the Nov. 17 COVID-19 governor’s press briefing, Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine, M.D., shared a message from state contact tracing leader Monica Talbot Ogelby of Waterbury on how individuals become “close contacts.” This is her message in full.

It's really quite simple.

The definition of a close contact in the contact tracing world is within 6 feet for greater than 15 minutes. So if you don't want to get named as a contact and have to quarantine, don't be within 6 feet for greater than 15 minutes of anyone you don't need to be. 

If you don't want to get COVID-19, don't be within 6 feet for greater than 15 minutes of anyone you don't need to be. 

If you don't want me to call you and ask you where you've been every second of the day for the last week, we can make that call very short if you've not been within 6 feet for greater than 15 minutes of anyone you didn't need to be.

Some people need to be in close contact with others: they're called healthcare providers and teachers. Because those are the services and supports our society needs to get through this.

We don't need bars. We might want bars, but we don't NEED them. We don't need parties or deer camp or in-person gatherings of any kind. We might want them, but we don't NEED them. Not the way we NEED our healthcare system to stay afloat or our children to have access to an equitable education.

Since March 9th I've been yanked from my day job, weekends, holidays and family to be a clinical lead for Vermont's contact tracing team. I don't need thanks or accolades, I'm part of a team of many.

What I NEED is for you to stay away from people you don't have to be in close contact with. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, ask yourself: Am I within 6 feet for greater than 15 minutes of anyone?

If the answer is no, you're doing it right. If the answer is yes, then that contact better be a household member, a healthcare provider or a teacher. Because otherwise, it's an unnecessary contact and that that's how COVID has spread like wildfire.

And before you go and get angsty about out-of-state plates, sure, it's not a perfect system, but let me be very clear: this spike in recent cases is related to the poor decision-making by your friends and neighbors, not out-of-staters. Even the nearly 80 cases we had at one college was relatively contained - it got in there from a community member, but it didn't get back out.

Wear your mask, wash your hands, keep your distance from others. The end.

Monica Talbot Ogelby is director of Children with Special Health Needs in the Vermont Department of Health’s Maternal and Child Health Division. As part of the COVID-19 response, she is working as Contact Tracing Clinical Lead with the department. She lives in Waterbury.