What the Aerosol Scientists Say About Airborne Transmission of Covid-19.

We have you Healthshifters! We passionately share new and interesting information about health and wellness. Our goal is to educate and translate relevant information regarding numerous topics we feel will be of interest. Since the beginning of Covid, we have followed aerosol expert, Dr. Linsey Marr, Charles P. Lunsford Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech. She was recently joined by Shelly Miller, Professor Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Colorado and Jose-Luis Jiminez, Professor of Chemistry and Fellow, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado at the American Association for Aerosol Research’s (AAAR) 38th Annual Conference. There, aerosol scientists gathered and shared up to date knowledge on the airborne spread of the novel coronavirus. Dr. Marr and Professors Miller and Jiminez presented key issues and personal views on going to restaurants, gyms, hotels, and protective masks. These leading authorities in aerosol science have pearls of wisdom that can save lives. For those of you interested in listening to the full press conference, we have provided a link below. As always, Healthshifter is here to present you with a few insights shared by the scientists:

• “Masks: for the public- look for tight weave, 2 layers of material, and/or 3-ply surgical masks. A good fitting mask is most important as aerosols can find their way around small open spaces.
• 3 ply surgical masks are working very well at keeping the virus particles out.
• Face shields only work for large droplets-they can get around the shield and are not a substitute for masks. Plastic Shields don’t do anything. At present, they are decoration at best-you cannot talk in them even with social distance. One must wear a mask.
• In beginning, we didn’t know that aerosol transmission drives the disease. Now that we know better, early surface cleaning and installation of plexiglass was theater- we didn’t know better.
• We must wear masks indoors even if we are socially distanced-aerosols(spray) can be inhaled. They do not care how far away you are. Moreover, you don’t know who is infected.
• Masks reduces some exposure; however, increased ventilation, spending less time indoors and going outdoors are safer.
• The scientists personally say “no” to eating meals indoors at restaurants. Their reasoning: Even if you are seated at a distance, generally masks come off because people are eating, socializing and talking. In addition we know nothing about the restaurant’s ventilation and people are at dinner for an hour or more. Dr. Marr will not go to restaurants. She continues to support establishments by ordering take-out.
• Dr. Marr says to maintain distance-Crowds, closed and poorly ventilated environments are not good. If you are inside a building and it has a smell, feels hot and stuffy, the ventilation is probably not adequate.
• Inspect the places you are thinking of entering. Look inside a building and see if it’s windows or doors are open(they should be). If there are no open windows or doors, this is not good. Look for how many people are inside and whether everyone is wearing masks. If they are not wearing masks or any of the other above conditions do not exist, consider leaving.
• Professor Jiminez cringes when he sees crowded bars, no masks, alcohol(less control) and music.
• Air Travel: Professor Shelly Miller used double masks-1 surgical mask and a kn95 in addition to goggles when she had to fly. She suggested moving if people are carrying on conversations.
• Airlines– Find out what a business does if a passenger isn’t wearing a mask.
• Hotel/Motel– Ask about the ventilation and whether your air unit is disconnected from other rooms. Air sharing at hotels is not great.
• Single rooms with internal ac/heating with no ducted ventilation is optimal.
• The scientists to date have not seen infection through duct work.
• Opt for a motel as there are no indoor hallways, lobbys, elevators etc.
• Cars-ok to travel with relatives. Shared vehicles( uber, taxis) may pose a risk as there may be a lot of exhaled air which is subsequently inhaled.
• Open windows and take in outside air. Do not recirculate inside air. We need high outside ventilation.
• The Biden/Trump debate was very concerning. The more people in a space without masks the worse it is. It is not good to have this situation even if air was recirculated and there was good ventilation.
• If you have to be indoors with a sizeable crowd- i.e. supermarket, auditorium-maintain a good distance and get out quickly.
• Doctor’s appointments: Go first thing in the morning- there are fewer people and no existing virus from previous day. Try and take first appointment of the day.
• Movies-unnecessary risk-not essential-personally, Dr. Marr will wait.
• Gyms-some look ok- there is mask wearing and good ventilation although this, too, is an unnecessary risk to take on. Dr. Marr goes to her gym because it is a warehouse type with large open garage doors–with 10 people only. It is like being outside.
• Outdoor football-Germany soccer game-not high risk except is may be hard to keep distance, and there may be yelling- also not necessary-scientist won’t go. Has some risks.
• How to avoid Covid--Think about priorities to minimize risk or to take on risk. Think about how you can you lower your own personal risk.
• Figure out where to spend time while reducing your risk against aerosol transmission.
• Ask-can you do this outdoors?
• In 1910-NYC schools were successfully held outdoors during the winter. This is very doable.”