We ignore COVID-19 airborne indoor sp... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

56,325 members66,957 posts

We ignore COVID-19 airborne indoor spread at our peril: 239 scientists.

2greys profile image
12 Replies

A plea issued by 239 scientists from around the world to recognise and mitigate airborne transmission of COVID-19 addressed to international health authorities is to be published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

The 239 signatories from 32 countries come from many different areas of science and engineering, including virology, aerosol physics, flow dynamics, exposure and epidemiology, medicine, and building engineering.

Led by internationally recognised air quality and health expert QUT Professor Lidia Morawska, the appeal is to address the overwhelming research finding that an infected person exhales airborne virus droplets when breathing and talking that can travel further than the current 1.5m social distance requirement.

qut.edu.au/science-engineer...

Written by
2greys profile image
2greys
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
12 Replies

oh dear, that's me then a life in isolation, still safer outside hopefully with distancing while the weather permits.

sassy59 profile image
sassy59

Precisely why I wear a mask. It’s not a shock really and those that can wear masks should. I don’t mean people with breathing problems, though how they can be in an indoor environment is beyond me, yet so many who can just don’t. My sister works in Tesco yet wears no face covering at all.

We should stay 3 metres apart maybe or just not go anywhere. It’s a huge risk. Xxx

leo60 profile image
leo60 in reply tosassy59

I am expected to go back to work on a Tesco checkout 1.8.20. I can't wear a mask (COPD) . What to do? xx

sassy59 profile image
sassy59 in reply toleo60

I believe they have screens at the checkouts and you could maybe wear one of the shield/visors. Take care and stay safe. Xxxx

leo60 profile image
leo60 in reply tosassy59

Thank you, good point! Haven't been there since early March, so really don't know what's what!! xx

HungryHufflepuff profile image
HungryHufflepuff

I just read somewhere (BBC Proms website?) that the airborne virus can be propelled 3 metres. So any Proms concert this summer may not include wind instruments. Musicians seem to be aware of this risk, hopefully people in government etc will become aware of it too. 🎷🎺🎼

2greys profile image
2greys in reply toHungryHufflepuff

My biggest concern is what is going to happen in the colder wet weather, with everyone inside, the windows and doors will not be kept open then. I doubt that any ventilation will be fresh air because of heating costs, who are going to pay for filtered recirculated air and it's maintenance and additional UV lights to kill the virus. This is going to have to happen in every public building, workplace, shops, pubs, restaurant,s education facilities etc. to make them truly Covid safe. It does not bare thinking about.

leo60 profile image
leo60 in reply to2greys

😔 yes, I am scared.

SORRELHIPPO profile image
SORRELHIPPO

I am, more and more, thinking of getting a few of those face screener things, as they not only protect my nose and mouth, but also my eyes and the majority of face surface. When visitor has gone, do not have problem, that when removing mask, am aware of the need to wash my face. Also some of my friends will still be able to lip read my conversations.

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl in reply toSORRELHIPPO

Great points there, Sorrelhippo. At least I wouldn't look like I'm planning to rob the bank!

Hummingbird2 profile image
Hummingbird2 in reply toSORRELHIPPO

I have just bought 2 as I will be able to breath better I shall also make a thin mask as a pecaution

Jandm profile image
Jandm

Everyone will be required to wear a face mask when it becomes clear that this mode of transmission is a real risk for us all. I’ve read about the air in operating theatres being the best.....I can definitely say that when I worked in theatres with the full HEPA filtration system on, if one person had a cold, then we all got it. Considering that we constantly washed everything down between each patient and wore gloves, if you had no mask on then you got it. I always wore a mask to reduce any chances of infection and I was pretty successful in avoiding it.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Bleach-alternative COVID-19 surface disinfectants may pollute indoor air.

The research team found that mopping a floor with a commercially available hydrogen peroxide-based...
2greys profile image

Do you have COVID-19 questions? Our scientists have answers.

Unreliable tips on how to protect oneself from the novel coronavirus and fake news about the...
2greys profile image

Riding in a car in the pandemic: which windows to open?

If you find yourself in a car with someone outside your household during the COVID-19 pandemic,...
2greys profile image

Cleaning with bleach could create indoor air pollution.

For generations, people have used chlorine bleach to clean and disinfect their homes. However,...
2greys profile image

Immunity After COVID-19 Illness May Last at Least 1 Year

Long-term data from northern Italy -- an area hit hard during the early days of the pandemic --...
2greys profile image

Moderation team

See all
AsthmaandLung profile image
AsthmaandLungAdministrator
moderator_AandLUK profile image
moderator_AandLUKAdministrator
Claire_ALUK profile image
Claire_ALUKAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.