(My Public Health) – Just this Saturday, The New York Times Reported a new claim made by hundreds of scientists saying that there is proof that COVID-19 can infect people through smaller particles in the air. They are asking that the World Health Organization revise their recommendations.
Previously, the World Health Organization had said that novel coronavirus primarily transmits through small droplets from the mouth or nose. Because symptoms of COVID-19 usually include coughing and sneezing, this novel coronavirus can easily spread through these droplets especially without the usage of a mask or facial covering. In fact, these contaminated droplets have been found to spread through actions as simple as speaking.
In a letter to the WHO, planned to be published next week, over 200 scientists from over 30+ countries highlighted evidence that possibly proves that smaller contaminated particles can infect people.(New York Times)
As of yet the WHO has not commented on this matter to My Public Health.
According to the NYT, scientists say that the coronavirus is certainly carried through air and can infect people when inhaled. Currently, this seems to be how the virus is transmitted whether through large droplets from a sneeze or through smaller droplets that can travel across a room.
NEVERTHELESS, the WHO has stated that the evidence for calling COVID-19 airborne was inconclusive at best. (NYT) Dr. Trish Greenhalgh, a primary care doctor at the University of Oxford in Britain has said,“So at the moment we have to make a decision in the face of uncertainty, and my goodness, it’s going to be a disastrous decision if we get it wrong,…So why not just mask up for a few weeks, just in case?” Whatever the case may be, COVID-19 is still a threat to society. Wear a mask and continue to be vigilant.
If you have any questions or concerns, let us know in the comments below!
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