VOTE SAFELY IN PERSON THIS NOVEMBER
The election this year has several uncommon challenges. The intense fear of the Covid-19 pandemic is beyond any political concerns and discourse. We can not avoid it. How to vote safely is a question of great concern. Coronavirus pandemic has affected not only our daily life schedule but also voting procedures.
The voting process has changed a lot. Due to this, the votes have many questions in mind as to how to vote safely in upcoming elections, this November. And fact to vote in person has many risks attached.
SO, LET’S ASSESS THE RISKS IN VOTING:
An epidemiology research professor, Dr. Anne Monroe at the Milken Institute School of public health ( The George Washington University). She said that thinking to vote in person- as with everybody- holds great weightage in how much risk you are seeing. She added by saying “Only a few activities in human life takes place without risks.” It holds a bunch full of questions to ask yourself. How can you see whether your vote is counted plus your vote without any risk of being hit by the coronavirus? A lot is going on in the process to balance everything together. Forecasting your future risks and planning to resolve them is a fruitful thing.
The point of major concern is whether your state jurisdiction has kept a serious eye on safety precautions or not. You should give priority to your comfort level following the exposure to the covid-19 pandemic before voting methods, the public place, and safety measures, etc.
BE FAMILIAR WITH GUIDELINES OF YOUR OFFICIAL POLLING PLACE:
In the starting months of 2020, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) issues its guidelines regarding polling locations for the covid-19 pandemic. Not only the voting booth but also other public places like the gym, cafes, malls, and restaurants should be disinfected regularly. It is also expected to make certain sign marks where the voting candidates will stand in a queue before voting.
An assistant professor of pediatrics, Dr. Annabelle de St. Maurice who studies infectious diseases that leads the PIC (Pediatric Infection Control): She once said that 6 feet distance gap between people in the polling booth will lead to delay which might make people less interested in voting. Later she added, “voting that takes 5 minutes generally, will now take half an hour.” It is a human tendency to talk while standing in long queues. It will lead to more interactions thereby leading to more risk.
Polling sites are common and accessible to all voters, also those who have disabilities and bad health. Hence, experts are advising all of us to be familiar with our official voting place. To be aware of risks and assume the safety precautions that we need to follow.
DO I NEED TO GET TESTED AFTER CASTING VOTE?
If you took all the safety measures and you are not experiencing any symptoms of the viral disease, the test is not necessary. Although, if you are an overthinker then you can get yourself tested.
Also, Dr. Annabelle explained that you should consider the following points before heading to a Covid-19 testing site if:
- Your state has a high transmission rate.
- You know someone tested positive at the voting site
- You are worried about meeting your friends because you casted vote. Or if the voting process is affecting the mental peace that you might have the virus.
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