The Philippines registered its biggest single-day jump in new coronavirus cases on Sunday, July 5, 2020, adding 2,434 confirmed infections and taking the total count to 44,254, according to the Department of Health. DOH officials attributed this to increased contact among people as the country started to ease lockdown measures to mitigate the pandemic’s adverse effect on the economy. This means it’s not yet safe for people to socialize or join groups outside their homes.
Hypothetical question: What if there’s a pill that can help prevent Covid-19 infection by 85 percent, will you take it? We assume most people would take it, especially if they are assured that the pill is safe and no side effects can occur.
From livescience.com: “Face masks may reduce Covid-19 spread by 85 percent, WHO-backed study suggests.” The review commissioned by the World Health Organization also found that keeping a distance of at least 3 feet (1 meter) from other people lowered the chances of coronavirus infection or spread by 82 percent, and keeping a distance of 6 feet (2 meters) could be even more effective. The need to wear face mask becomes imperative amid findings that the coronavirus is spreading through the air.
Writing for The Conversation, Dr. Douglas Reed said respiratory infections are generally spread in three possible ways: from direct contact, from droplets and from airborne particles. The aerosolized particles can contain live viruses and float in the air for hours. Reed said: “Airborne transmission happens because of airborne particles known as droplet nuclei. Droplet nuclei are any bit of mucus or saliva smaller than 5 microns across. People produce droplet nuclei when they talk, but they can also be formed when small droplets evaporate and shrink in size. Many of these droplets shrink so much that they begin to float before they hit the ground, thus becoming aerosols. People produce thousands of these droplet nuclei per second while talking and the aerosolized particles can contain live viruses and float in the air for hours. They are easy to inhale, and if they contain live virus, can get people sick.”
In an article published on July 6 by The New York Times—“239 scientists worldwide claim coronavirus is airborne”—Apoorva Mandavilli said: “In an open letter to the WHO, 239 scientists in 32 countries have outlined the evidence showing that smaller particles can infect people and are calling for the agency to revise its recommendations. The researchers plan to publish their letter in a scientific journal.”
Mandavilli added: “The coronavirus is finding new victims worldwide, in bars and restaurants, offices, markets and casinos, giving rise to frightening clusters of infection that increasingly confirm what many scientists have been saying for months: The virus lingers in the air indoors, infecting those nearby. If airborne transmission is a significant factor in the pandemic, especially in crowded spaces with poor ventilation, the consequences for containment will be significant. Masks may be needed indoors, even in socially distant settings. Health-care workers may need N95 masks that filter out even the smallest respiratory droplets as they care for coronavirus patients.”
Laboratory studies can provide valuable insight, but real world scenarios point to the true risk that airborne particles can infect anybody. We all must seriously take the necessary measures to reduce the chances of Covid-19 infection. These include staying at home, avoiding crowded places, keeping distance from others, and frequent washing of hands with soap and water. At all times, avoid touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Image credits: Jimbo Albano
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