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Dr -- 1. I Want To Ask You A Question

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Posted on Fri, 5 Jun 2020
Question: Dr --

1. I want to ask you a question about a situation that occurred yesterday.
2. I’m an attorney, and I went to visit a client at the jail.
3. I was in a booth and he was on the other side of the booth. We were both separated by glass.
4. I sat there for about 30 minutes and spoke to him. I was wearing a mask & he was not. Also, he was a-symptomatic.
5. Like I said the booth is separated by glass and there’s no contact possible between us because of the glass & usually we communicate with a telephone in both booths. However, there’s a small opening -- where paper can be passed between the people in the booth.
6. In this type of set up, how likely is it to transmit coronavirus, or COVID-19 -- since his breath/air can escape into my booth through the small opening that I described.

Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The probability is almost zero!!!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this this query.

I have reviewed this information fully. The probability of any possible transmission is almost zero. Even if your client were a confirmed COVID-19 case, this is still very small. I have been to the jail before and this space is very minimal and would only allow for so little air exchange that the density of germs in it would be so little for any meaningful transmission. Between, you were having a mask which further diminishes any possibility.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (26 hours later)
Dr --

Thank you for your response. Here is another scenario that unfolded today in the courtroom:

1. I was seated about 12 feet away from XXXXXXX on a table for about 30 minutes. We were both wearing masks.

2. We were both facing straight ahead and not facing one another.

3. XXXXXXX spoke for about 1-2 minutes while facing straight ahead.

4. I was informed that XXXXXXX was 'sick and coughing' presumably sometime earlier. He did not cough during my time inside the courtroom with him.

5. How significant is the risk of transmission - if XXXXXXX is positive for COVID-19?

Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (40 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Very minimal!!!

Detailed Answer:
HI and thanks for this follow up.

I have reviewed this fully. There is no risk here. You would not contract COVID-19 from this scenario. I am well pleased with your level of awareness and precautions to stay safe.

Keep safe and keep sticking to recommendations. I wish you well.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ivo Ditah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3984 Questions

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Dr -- 1. I Want To Ask You A Question

Brief Answer: The probability is almost zero!!! Detailed Answer: Hi and thanks so much for this this query. I have reviewed this information fully. The probability of any possible transmission is almost zero. Even if your client were a confirmed COVID-19 case, this is still very small. I have been to the jail before and this space is very minimal and would only allow for so little air exchange that the density of germs in it would be so little for any meaningful transmission. Between, you were having a mask which further diminishes any possibility. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me if need be.