統計數據顯示：社交隔離措施降低了其他傳染病的發病率

伴隨疫情而來的社交隔離措施給人們的生活帶來了許多不便，但是NBC的記者發現，實施社交隔離之後，包括流感在內的其他呼吸道傳染病的發病率也下降了。

According to NBC News’ Medical Correspondent Dr. John Torres, there appears to be a ‘silver lining’ to global social distancing measures.

美國全國廣播公司新聞部的醫療記者約翰·託雷斯博士稱，全球的社交隔離措施似乎帶來了一線光明。

He surmises these new habits could be driving down diseases.

他猜測這些新習慣可能會降低一些疾病的發病率。

surmise[sɝ'maɪz]: vi. 猜測；認爲

"Around the world, people have had to adapt to life with different public health restrictions in place,” he said. “Now we are starting to see that these measures, including social distancing, are also helping against the flu and other infectious diseases.”

他說：“在世界各地，人們都必須適應不同公共衛生限制條規下的生活。現在我們開始發現，包括社交隔離在內的這些措施也有助於抵禦流感和其他傳染病。”

Torres points to Australia as an example of the disease-lowering impact.

託雷斯指出，澳大利亞就是防疫措施導致疾病減少的一個例子。

"Australia is now in its winter months when flu is most rampant,” he explained. “But early figures show influenza rates are at a record low. Hospitals are usually overwhelmed with cases, but are seeing less admissions for this time of year.”

他解釋道：“澳大利亞現在進入了流感最猖獗的冬季，但早期數據顯示，流感發病率降到了史上最低水平。往年醫院在這個時候通常都會被流感患者擠爆，但今年因流感而住院的人卻減少了。”

He goes on to say there is more evidence coming from other countries.

他接着說道，還有來自其他國家的更多證據。

"Canada and the UK are also reporting exceptionally low levels of influenza,” he pointed out. “In China, where lockdown measures were first widely enforced, mumps and measles have also declined.”

他指出：“加拿大和英國報告的流感率也特別低。在最早廣泛實施封鎖措施的中國，腮腺炎和麻疹的發病率也降低了。”

He says there is a simple explanation for these new statistics.

他表示，這些新的統計數據可以簡單地解釋清楚。

"Like coronavirus, flu, measles and mumps are mainly transmitted in respiratory droplets and airborne particles,” he stated. “So it makes sense the widespread use of masking, hand washing, and social distancing are working against other respiratory viruses as well.”

他說道：“像新冠病毒、流感、麻疹和腮腺炎這樣的疾病主要通過呼吸道飛沫和空氣懸浮顆粒進行傳播。因此廣泛使用口罩、勤洗手和社交隔離也能抵禦其他呼吸道病毒是講得通的。”

Looking toward the future, Torres recommends keeping these measures in place.

放眼未來，託雷斯建議保持這些防疫措施不放鬆。

"Now this could also mean that if we continue to be vigilant and use these measures, we could have a mild flu season this year,” he imparted.

託雷斯透露說：“這也意味着，如果我們繼續保持警覺和採取這些措施，今年的流感季就不會太嚴重。”