According to the New York Times, in an open letter, 239 scientists working in 32 different countries warn the World Health Organization and citizens: unlike what the WHO has been claiming for months, coronavirus could be easily airborne, especially via minuscule droplets.
In documents from June 29, the WHO says virus could be airborne only when medical procedures use aerosols (naming spraying particles in the air), like intubations, bronchoscopies, and even cardio-pulmonary reanimations. The institution also wants to recall the difference between the virus being sprayed through big drops and by little droplets.
According to the World Health Organization, coronavirus is mostly transmitted by big drops when sneezing or coughing. Because of their size and weight, they quickly fall to the ground and surfaces. To do so, the virus did not match the strict definition of an airborne virus, the WHO says.
Yet, this affirmation is now questioned by hundreds of searchers across the world. They all think the virus can be transmitted when talking, via exceedingly small drops. Yet, epidemiologist Bill Hanage intends to remind that the virus dos not “walk around” in the air for hours.
In concrete words, the contamination risk would be much higher in closed, overcrowded, badly aired spaces, where several people are close to one another for a long time. Earlier this year, other scientists have handed the same conclusions to the WHO.
If the virus is airborne indeed, facemasks will be necessary indoors, in closed spaces, in order to avoid spreading Covid-19. Airing places will be then vital in the fight against the spread of the virus.
