“Since COVID-19 is transmitted through contact with respiratory fluids carrying the infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus, a person can be exposed by an infected person coughing or speaking near them. They can also be exposed by inhaling aerosol particles that are spreading away from the infected person. Transmission of COVID-19 from inhalation of virus in the air can occur at distances greater than six feet. Particles from an infected person can move throughout an entire room or indoor space. The particles can also linger in the air after a person has left the room – they can remain airborne for hours in some cases. Someone can also be exposed via splashes and sprays of respiratory fluids directly onto their mucous membranes. Spread may also sometimes occur through contact with contaminated surfaces, though this route is now considered less likely.”
“Though the risk of infection by breathing in particles carrying the virus generally decreases with distance from infected people and with time, some circumstances increase the risk of infection:
* Being indoors rather than outdoors, particularly in indoor environments where ventilation with outside air is inadequate
* Activities that increase emission of respiratory fluids, such as speaking loudly, singing, or exercising
* Prolonged time of exposure (e.g. longer than a few minutes)
* Crowded spaces, particularly if face coverings are inconsistently or improperly worn”
Note: It has been shown that one can get COVID in mere seconds of exposure. Eg two person passing each other in an indoor shopping mall is a documented case.
I seldom wear a mask any more, although I always have one available just in case.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article I'm going to be anxious about not wearing one. 😬
DeleteI'm with Bilbo. I guess the moral of the story is to be aware and careful.
ReplyDeleteI've still got masks in my car from the last round. I should probably carry one in my right lower cargo pants pocket.
DeleteI see a lot of masks of late. I guess its time to being those out again
ReplyDeleteI've seen a few. But I wonder if those are people that have COVID and are doing the '5 days of mask'.
DeleteI'm getting my covid booster and flu shot on Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteI got both a few weeks ago along with my 10 year Tdap.
DeleteI get my covid and flu booster every year so I'll just keep my fingers crossed 🙄 the crossed fingers emoji has vanished.
ReplyDeleteI get a booster shot every year. I plan to get one this year. I just hope RFK Jr doesn't make it harder.
ReplyDelete