News January 11, 2022
The spread of the coronavirus via aerosols may play a smaller role than is often assumed of late. According to researchers, the virus in the air will soon be barely able to infect people, writes The Guardian.
Within 20 minutes, the virus loses 90 percent of its infectious capacity. The biggest decline already takes place in the first five minutes, simulations show. In the air, the virus dries out quickly and the pH level rises. Both changes make it more difficult for the coronavirus to infect human cells.
The findings would mean that keeping your distance and wearing face masks are by far the most important measures to prevent infection. Although ventilation is still advisable, relatively fewer infections are avoided with air exchange, the researchers say.
In a cafe or restaurant, in short, you are much more likely to be ignited by the friends you are sitting with than by someone on the other side of the room. “The greatest chance of infection is when you are close to someone,” said University of Bristol professor Jonathan Reid. “The further away you are, the aerosols are diluted and there are fewer infectious viruses because the virus has lost its contagiousness.”
How quickly the virus dries out depends on the humidity. If it is lower than 50 percent – a situation that is often encountered in offices, for example – then the virus is half as contagious within five seconds. In the bathroom it takes considerably longer for the virus to lose half of its contagiousness: about five minutes.
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