Reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2

 

Kimberly A. Prather, Chia C. Wang, Robert T. Schooley

Science  27 May 2020

 

Abstract

Masks and testing are necessary to combat asymptomatic spread in aerosols and droplets

 

Respiratory infections occur through the transmission of virus-containing droplets (>5 to 10 μm) and aerosols (≤5 μm) exhaled from infected individuals during breathing, speaking, coughing, and sneezing. Traditional respiratory disease control measures are designed to reduce transmission by droplets produced in the sneezes and coughs of infected individuals. However, a large proportion of the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) appears to be occurring through airborne transmission of aerosols produced by asymptomatic individuals during breathing and speaking (1–3). Aerosols can accumulate, remain infectious in indoor air for hours, and be easily inhaled deep into the lungs. For society to resume, measures designed to reduce aerosol transmission must be implemented, including universal masking and regular, widespread testing to identify and isolate infected asymptomatic individuals.

 

Read more: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/05/27/science.abc6197

 

 

Whom would you prefer to speak to you from a short distance, the woman without the mask or the one with the mask?

 

 

Image source: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/early/2020/05/27/science.abc6197/F1.medium.gif