Since the pandemic began, we have not stopped learning about COVID-19, including how it spreads and how to protect ourselves.
Regarding its spread in particular, experts have hypothesized for many months that this new coronavirus could be transmitted through the air. But what does this mean? And, most importantly, do the preventive measures necessary to keep you safe change; together with your family?
To understand if COVID-19 is really airborne, as well as all that this could entail for our health and safety, we spoke with Dr. Tim Connolly, pulmonologist at Houston Methodist Hospital.
Q: What does it mean for COVID-19 to be transmitted through the air?
Dr. Connolly: By now, we all know that viruses can be transmitted from person to person, either through handshakes, or by touching contaminated surfaces (and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth).
But when it comes to airborne viral spread, it’s a bit more complicated than it sounds. There are two main modes of airborne spread of viruses:
- Respiratory droplets
- Air transmission
Respiratory droplets are tiny balls of saliva and moisture, potentially containing viruses like COVID-19. These are released from the mouth and nose, flying into your immediate area when you speak, cough, or sneeze. However, these droplets do not travel very far and are usually caught even by a simple mask. During the pandemic, the logic behind wearing the mask, and social distancing of at least two meters, is primarily to control the spread of COVID-19 through these respiratory droplets.
For a virus to be considered airborne, it must be able to remain in the air for a longer period, usually by attaching itself to much smaller particles of water vapor or dust. If you’ve ever seen airborne dust when entering a sunlit room, let’s say that dust could carry some transmissible viruses, in a room for up to three hours at a time. Airborne viruses can enter your body through your eyes, as well as your nose and mouth.
Q: How high is COVID-19 in the air?
Dr. Connolly: According to recent updates issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is growing evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted through the air in certain situations, particularly in confined and poorly ventilated spaces.
In addition to just talking, coughing, or sneezing, there are other common activities that can encourage the new coronavirus to spread through the air, such as:
- Exercising vigorously in the gym
- Sing in church choirs
- Host rallies, sporting events, or concerts
The airborne nature of COVID-19 may help explain its dramatic spread in certain settings, including cruise ships, nursing homes, and prisons. It also explains why 22% of the recent increase in cases in El Paso, Texas, points to large grocery stores and supermarkets.
Any virus particle generated in the air can remain in the closed interior space of a supermarket, if enough people who carry the virus do not wear face masks, even simple cloth ones. And during the next few hours of this, unsuspecting customers traversing this virus cloud can ultimately fall ill.
In various medical procedures we could also be at risk for airborne transmission of COVID-19, including: nebulizer breathing treatments for asthma or COPD and CPAP machines for sleep apnea. Also any medical intervention that involves the patient’s airways, such as the placement of a breathing tube for surgery, bronchoscopy or tracheostomy. As long as clinicians are involved in aerosol production procedures, N95 masks and other complete personal protective equipment (PPE) are absolutely essential.
Q: What precautions can help prevent the airborne spread of COVID-19?
Dr. Connolly: The simple preventive measures that public health professionals have been emphasizing since the beginning of the pandemic remain the most effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
These security measures include:
- Social distancing of at least two meters, whenever possible
- Limit exposure (or its long duration) in any indoor public environment, such as bars, restaurants, religious churches, gyms, and grocery stores
- Avoid visiting someone indoors (it is generally safer to spend a short period of time with someone outdoors)
- Wear your mask!
Realizing that the coronavirus can not only stay in the air for hours, but can also infect through the eyes, it is better to cover all entry areas, as possible; especially when walking in public spaces. For example, when you go out with your family to the pharmacy, a coffee shop, or the restrooms at a gas station on a road trip, wear a mask and simple clear glasses. Similarly, when your children walk through the corridors of their schools, teach them and ask them to wear face shields and goggles.
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