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Why Covid's Airborne Transmission Was Acknowledged So Late
- Terretta 6y ago2021-05-07 CDC Update: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/sars-cov-2-transmission.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-br... Excerpt: ## Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from inhalation of virus in the air farther than six feet from an infectious source can occur With increasing distance from the source, the role of inhalation likewise increases. Although infections through inhalation at distances greater than six feet from an infectious source are less likely than at closer distances, the phenomenon has been repeatedly documented under certain preventable circumstances. These transmission events have involved the presence of an infectious person exhaling virus indoors for an extended time (more than 15 minutes and in some cases hours) leading to virus concentrations in the air space sufficient to transmit infections to people more than 6 feet away, and in some cases to people who have passed through that space soon after the infectious person left. Per published reports, factors that increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection under these circumstances include: - Enclosed spaces with inadequate ventilation or air handling within which the concentration of exhaled respiratory fluids, especially very fine droplets and aerosol particles, can build-up in the air space. - Prolonged exposure to these conditions, typically more than 15 minutes. In other words, public transportation, restaurants, and modern energy efficient office buildings. Imagine what it would take to get a year of vacancy to upgrade the air handling before it was time to return to work. Oh, oops.