How to protect yourself from the Corona virus
by Volker Weber
What matters more is whether people know how to properly protect themselves from the virus. Fortunately, the prevention steps for both transmission routes are largely the same: keep your distance and wear a mask. Evidence of the importance of masks, in particular, has been mounting, not only because they trap outgoing particles from escaping, which protects others, but also because they block larger incoming particles from getting into a person’s airways, protecting the mask wearer themselves. And even if some viral particles do get through, the viral dose will still be much smaller, so the person will be less likely to get seriously ill.
A clear example of the benefits of masks is a recent outbreak in South Korea, in which one woman at a Starbucks infected 27 other customers — whom officials assume were not wearing masks because they were eating and drinking — but none of the employees, all of whom were masked the entire time.
Aerosol transmission does increase the importance of one additional protective step, which is proper ventilation and air filtration. Airflow, either introducing new air into a room or filtering the existing air, can disperse and dilute any infectious aerosol particles, reducing a person’s potential exposure. Being outdoors is the ultimate ventilation, and for months public health officials have recommended that people socialize outside rather than in. However, with winter and colder temperatures coming, indoor air filtration and adherence to masks will become even more important.
Excellent post about the progress we have made in understanding how the virus spreads. Don't obsess about the things you touch but rather about the air you breathe. With aerosol transmission keeping six feet apart does not protect you.
Comments
Und dann gibt es einen Präsidenten, der mehr Sorgenn hat über den Weg: BedienungMaske-BedienungHand-Teller-eigene Hand-eigener Mund/Auge/Nase als wenn man 30/50cm entfernt fremde Aerosole einatmet... Da kann man nur mit dem Kopf schütteln.
Lukas Gerlich, 2020-09-18
Wird es dann bald Tests von (smarten) Luftfiltergeräten hier geben? ;)
Joachim Bode, 2020-09-18
