Initially, the consensus was that the disease is spread by droplets that don’t go beyond six feet. But as scientists began to beam more light on the virus, they found compelling evidence that the spread of the virus cannot be explained by droplets infection alone.
But transmission of this virus could be occurring by aerosol more than we are aware and more than the health organisations are willing to accept. When we cough, sneeze, talk, breathe or sing, we normally release droplets, which are tiny particles of fluid, as well as aerosols, which are tinnier particles of fluid in the air.
From physics, a 5-micron droplet usually takes about 30 minutes to drop to the ground from the mouth of an adult who is of average height. During that time, the droplet can move many meters on an air current. Droplets released when we cough or sneeze also go much farther than a meter. For aerosols to leave where they are produced, they have to navigate through the air, and anyone close by can get infected.
Droplets could not have explained the transmission based on the distance they could travel, at least not for those at the other tables, because it’s expected that droplets would have reached the ground.Those other tables were at a corner that had poor ventilation and the air-conditioner drove air towards them. Interestingly, no staff member, or those beyond the air-conditioner got infected.
Some researchers argue that because the virus is found in aerosols it does not mean there is long-range transmission. The WHO, and perhaps those other scientists are falling back on a démodé definition of airborne transmission, where the virus needs to travel very far. It does not have to move through alleys, over mountains, oceans, and forests before it’s called airborne transmission. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
While we wait for the health agencies to get their acts together, the key to being safe remains keeping a safe distance. One meter may not be enough. Two meters is just fine, but staying further is safer.Mask wearing remains a game changer, if only everyone will agree to wear it. For healthcare workers it might mean the minimum type of mask to be worn should be an N-95. Where that is not available double-masking with the surgical mask might help.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.