Caller · moment 3 of 11
Asymptomatic Spread and the Smallpox Comparison
from Emergency Broadcast - Corona Call-Ins
3 min
Caller
Dr. Steve discusses how asymptomatic transmission makes this virus harder to contain than smallpox, then lays out basic precautions like not shaking hands, washing hands, and avoiding unnecessary touching.
- People are contagious even when asymptomatic, which is one of the biggest problems—you can transmit the disease without knowing it.
- Tim explains how smallpox was defeated: no asymptomatic transmission meant they could identify the sick, vaccinate around them, and create a containment moat.
- With asymptomatic transmission, you can't use the smallpox strategy because people spread it before they know they're sick.
- Handshakes are a stupid medieval tradition designed to show you don't have a weapon—we should stop and bow to each other instead.
- Universal precautions: avoid unnecessary touching, wash your hands before eating, use plain water to kill the virus if you can't find Purell.
- Clean public surfaces before touching them, and if everybody follows basic hygiene, we can prevent asymptomatic spread.
smallpoxhand washing and hygiene practices