Is the coronavirus airborne? When it comes to COVID-19 spread through air, size matters.

  • 📰 NBCNewsHealth
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 54 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 25%
  • Publisher: 51%

United States Headlines News

United States Latest News,United States Headlines

While tiny viral particles might travel through the air, it's unclear whether they could make someone else sick.

The potential for the coronavirus to linger in the air is concerning to scientists who study aerosols. Kimberly Prather, a distinguished professor in atmospheric chemistry at the University of California, San Diego, addressed the possibility in a paper published this week in the journal"Aerosol transmission of viruses must be acknowledged as a key factor leading to the spread of infectious respiratory diseases," Prather and her co-authors wrote.

But evidence is lacking that this particular virus is indeed infectious in aerosolized form, Prather told NBC News. "How long does it live when it's in the air? We still have a lot of work to do to answer that," Prather said."Just because some viral element is detected does not mean it is infectious," said Dr. Aditya Shah, an infectious disease fellow at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.Any pathogen — including SARS-CoV-2, the type of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 — generally requires larger amounts of particles to become infectious.

"I think it is plausible that there could be some level of aerosol transmission," Collman said."But if it occurs, it's probably not very important or common.", doctors overwhelmingly support the use of face masks to reduce the risk for infecting others with emissions of all sizes. "People who don't wear face masks think that they're saying, 'I'm tough. I'm strong. I'm not afraid of getting COVID,'" Collman said.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 707. in US

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Here's what employers can and can't do when they take your temperature in return to workTemperature checks, questionnaires about Covid-19 symptoms and coronavirus tests for employees — it's all part of a new work normal, and a legal gray area in the reopening. My boss made me sit on a thermometer. Is this best practice? I'm sure the CBNC crew welcomes the rectal exam.
Source: CNBC - 🏆 12. / 72 Read more »

Coronavirus vaccine: Merck and Novartis join the hunt for a COVID-19 vaccineExperts say it's unlikely there will be widespread distribution of a vaccine this calendar year, however.
Source: NBCNewsHealth - 🏆 707. / 51 Read more »

Florida approves Walt Disney World and Sea World reopening plansThe coronavirus pandemic has brought countries to a standstill. Here's the latest updates on Covid-19 cases, deaths, government responses and more. With every admission fee you get one infection free Trumpomania at its best. Well Duhhhhhh🙄
Source: cnnbrk - 🏆 393. / 55 Read more »

Combinations of drugs may be needed to fight coronavirus, FDA scientists sayCombinations of antivirals, anti-inflammatories and other drugs will likely be needed to treat people with coronavirus, a team of US Food and Drug Administration scientists said. And it might even be necessary to customize treatment patient by patient. And Chloroquine is still being used because it in fact helps. And anticoagulants.
Source: CNN - 🏆 4. / 95 Read more »

Washington will end stay-at-home order on May 31The coronavirus pandemic has brought countries to a standstill. Here's the latest updates on Covid-19 cases, deaths, government responses and more. As white man ANTI RACIST (I wear my scars) from Canada...IT HAVE TO STOP, WE ARE ONE PEOPLE, ONE SYMBIOSIS. We all depend on each other. Congratulations to Americans.
Source: cnnbrk - 🏆 393. / 55 Read more »

New York governor signs bill that provides death benefits to families of frontline workersThe coronavirus pandemic has brought countries to a standstill. Here's the latest updates on Covid-19 cases, deaths, government responses and more. CNN still running propaganda on how great Cuomo is, despite the fact New York is literally the most hard hit State of coronavirus cases in the nation.
Source: cnnbrk - 🏆 393. / 55 Read more »