Pic by Predeep pathirana
Adjusting to the new normal also meant adjusting ourselves to be aimed at point-blank – not to be shot dead but to 
check if the body temperature is normal prior to entering a building. Over time this has become more of a gesture, rather a joke, than serving its actual purpose. In most instances the job is now handled by security officers and a popular saying is that if you want to check your temperature you don’t have to visit a doctor anymore. Experts say that these Non-Contact Infrared Thermometers (NCITs) are a mere screening tool and they are used for the ‘feel-good’ factor only.
Limitations
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) one of the limitations is that how and where the NCIT is used may affect the measurement. These include head covers, environment and even positioning of forehead. Another limitation is that has been observed is that the close distance required to properly take a person’s temperature represents a risk of spreading disease between the person using the device and the person being evaluated.
Preparations
The FDA further states that the environment and the person has to be prepared prior to taking the temperature.
Preparing the Environment and NCIT:
The use environment may impact the performance of the NCIT. Instructions will typically include recommendations for optimal use, such as the following:
Use in a draft-free space and out of direct sun or near radiant heat sources.
Determine if conditions are optimal for use. Typically, the environmental temperature should be between 60.8-104 ºF (16-40 ºC) and relative humidity below 85 percent.
Place the NCIT in the testing environment or room for 10-30 minutes prior to use to allow the NCIT to adjust to the environment.
Preparing the Person being Evaluated:
In preparation for taking a temperature measurement with an NCIT, the person using the NCIT should typically ensure that
The test area of the forehead is clean, dry and not blocked during measurement.
The person’s body temperature or temperature at the forehead test area has not been increased or decreased by wearing excessive clothing or head covers (for example headbands, bandanas), or by using facial cleansing products (for example cosmetic wipes).
Devices validated
However according to the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) IR thermometers and all medical devices are validated prior to sending them to the market. While most of these products come from China, the Authority also said that they have to be calibrated.
No cancer risk
“What is being used is a medical lazer and there could be a slight risk if it’s aimed at the retina,” warned Dr. Ruvais Haniffa, Consultant Family Physician and head of Family Medicine Unit, University of Colombo. “Now the temperature is being taken from the wrist. Since we still do not know our normal body temperature we usually take a range.
This could be between 36.40C to 36.90C. If the temperature is above 370C, that person is having fever. But contrary to popular myth there’s no risk of developing cancer.”
People’s experiences
People have had various experiences while entering building premises in the new normal. While some of them are rather hilarious encounters, one may wonder if
checking temperature actually does any good. Here are a few experiences that were shared with us :
A burden
What I have observed when I visit shops is that most of the people who have been assigned to do the temperature checks are seeing it as a burden and does not carry out the check properly which ends up getting readings far low than the normal temperature spectrum. Also many establishments have temperature reading equipments which are either non-functioning or non-calibrated.
- Kanishka Wimalasuriya
Not bothered
Many people checking temperatures don’t even look at the temperature reading, let alone be knowledgeable on the signs/readings they should look for.
Temperature alone is barely a dependable indicator. - Rehman Abubakr
One meter distance?
When taking the temperature from the forehead, the security personnel cannot maintain the mandatory one meter distance, and therefore I think that this exercise is pointless. At least when it’s checked on the hand, you have the option of stretching your hand out and thereby maintaining the one meter distance. - Jeanne De Alwis
Varying temperature
Temperature slightly varies with the outside temperature at times. Also, the temperature recorded in the forehead is different to that of the forearm/hand. - Bani Neelawela
Just a gesture
Most security guards just point the thermometer at you as a gesture. They don’t bother to actually read the number displayed.
- Chaminda Rajapakse
What is the point?
When the symptoms aren’t visible too soon what is the point of temperature being checked? They check the hand which was washed and I am sure we
would be too cool and the thermometer will be lying. People must wash hands after using the supermarket/ATM etc not only before. - Mafaza Haleem
Am I dead?
Often I am finding out from all security personnel that I am dead. My temperature most of the time is below 25 C.
- Natalia Seneviratne
Point and wave on
They aim at the head, hand and elbow. Some don’t even bother to read it, just point and wave me on. - Samanthi Colonne
Better options
Not in agreement aiming infra-red thermometers at forehead. In most occasions this happens in a short time frame, every time when entering buildings/premises. Checking temperature does not prevent COVID-19. In my opinion better options are to strict adherence to wearing masks properly, washing hands and maintaining distance. Even spraying sanitiser every time and on multiple occasions in a short time frame is not agreeable. Need more clarifications. - Gavashkar Subramanium
