Dual Dove
A team of 239 scientists are planning to convince the World Health Organization to get more serious regarding the threat that COVID-19 could in fact be an airborne virus, transmitting via microscopic particles. In a Saturday report, an international team of scientists is going to make an open letter public. In this open letter, they will firmly request the WHO to do something about the airborne transmission of the novel coronavirus. The team says that the evidence keeps growing that little aerosols remain in the air, especially indoors, thus leading to new cases.
Over the course of the ongoing global pandemic, WHO has stood their ground, explaining that the virus mainly spreads through respiratory droplets, which are much larger than the aforementioned aerosols, and has chosen to urge people to wash their hands and socially distance from others to ensure that the infection does not spread. The droplets, which are released through sneezes and coughs, are a lot heavier than the aerosols, falling to the floor quicker, thus not being such a major threat if social distance is maintained between the healthy and the infected.
On the other hand, if this airborne transmission is a significant issue, safety guidelines could become much, much stricter. In an article published in the Times, it was detailed that people would have to start wearing masks indoors, if the places are poorly ventilated. This is the case even if social distance is in place. Businesses and schools would have to install new ventilation systems capable of filtering the air. Individuals that work in health care would all need to wear high-quality N95 masks, as these are the only ones that are able to filter out even the smallest droplets out there. For more information, read the scientists’ letter this Saturday. It is called “It Is Time to Address Airborne Transmission of COVID-19”.
We ask WHO to lead in stopping spread by aerosols – microscopic droplets that can be inhaled. That is why we must wear face masks, open windows, and avoid crowded indoor spaces with singing and loud talking. Thanks @kprather88 @linseymarr @UMDPublicHealth https://t.co/K80Z3YqsxE
— Don Milton (@Don_Milton) July 6, 2020
