We are in a constant state of learning about COVID-19 and how to keep ourselves, family and friends safe. Because let’s face it, whether you have already had Covid or not, we still want to avoid exposure to the virus. By now, hopefully we have the preventative measures down: social distancing, masks and hand washing( hand sanitizer). Chris Kresser reviews why ventilation is also critical to preventing COVID.(Click link below).
We have all heard that the risk of catching the virus is much lower outdoors than indoors. Outdoors, when we breathe, talk and exhale viral particles, they disperse very quickly into the air and our exposure is less intense. Indoors is a whole different story. When we gather, breathe, talk and exhale viral particles, they do not disperse and we are therefore exposed to a much higher volume of particles. This is especially true if we are inside a poorly ventilated area. And let’s face it, what do we really know about the inside environments of the places we go?
Summer is fading fast. Fall and winter will soon be here. As temperatures drop and we begin to spend our time inside we must consider the ventilation of the places we decide to go. Kresser encourages us to consider our options for reducing exposure to the virus: 1) Bring fresh air in from outside and 2) remove the virus from indoor air. Most modern commercial buildings have HVAC systems which bring air from outside into the building. Hopefully the amount of outside air brought in can be controlled by building managers as opposed to their controlling the recirculation of indoor air. Our homes, schools and many workplaces probably do not have these HVAC systems. In fact, according to Kresser, many schools and workplaces don’t have adequate ventilation at all! So, he says, “open your windows” as this is the best way to bring outside air in. The more outside air, the better. Kresser talks about measuring CO2 levels to know whether your room has enough air exchange. “A well ventilated room will have CO2 levels of 800 ppm or below.” We have choices-we can measure the CO2 levels before we decide to go to school or work by buying a CO2 monitor. The other choice is to try and remove the virus from the indoor air with a high-quality HEPA filter. Kresser provides links to the monitor and filter in his article below. At a minimum, open your windows often and remember, social distance, wear a mask and practice good hygiene.
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