Yes, You Need To Tell People if You Have Covid-19. Here’s How to Do It.

Whom to tell, when to tell them, and how to say it

Cortney Clift
Elemental

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Just saying. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Open and honest communication is currently one of the most invaluable tools we have to slow the spread of Covid-19, experts say: Promptly notifying those around you if you test positive helps others know if they need to quarantine, alter their social behaviors, and get tested. But the protocol for sending out this kind of alert isn’t always so clear. How do you know when to start notifying people — after you test positive or the second you have a scratchy throat? Who needs to know? And what’s a contact tracer’s role in all of this? Here’s what the experts say about whom you should notify — and when — if you test positive for Covid-19 or are experiencing Covid-like symptoms.

When should you say something?

If you test positive for Covid-19, it’s crucial to quickly inform those with whom you’ve had (masked or unmasked) contact. But should you really wait for an official diagnosis to make those calls and send…

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