Thread by @Minimalneg

We all know about face masks, hand washing and distancing. I want to highlight high risk situations, so you can think twice when you face situations in the coming weeks.

Better yet if you read this article, but I will summarise in a few tweets

english.elpais.com/society/2020-1…

1. Closed rooms with recirculating air (e.g. airconditioned, or no windows) are higher risk than larger rooms with free air flow, because virus aerosols accumulate and float around, and you're more likely to come into contact with it in higher doses. elpais.com/infografias/20…

2. The longer you spend time with a COVID+ person, the more risk you are at. This could be in one go, or over multiple shorter contacts during the day. Rule of thumb is 15 minutes over 24 hours is a significant contact.

e.g. in the US, it was found that prison guards having 1 minute contacts, 15 times throughout the day with COVID+ prisoners later became positive. cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/6…

3. When a person talks, they could spray virus aerosols everywhere, which is greatly reduced by wearing a mask. Talking, shouting and singing (and I'm thinking probably even things like pirith chanting) all involve spraying out virus particles if you have COVID.

So, if you're giving a speech, keep wearing that mask. See if you can avoid being in small rooms with poor ventilation as much as possible. If you have to be in a vehicle with people not living with you, wear masks (maybe consider getting some fresh air in the vehicle?)

Limit the time you spend with people outside of your home bubble as much as possible - the more time you spend in the vicinity of a COVID+ person the higher risk you are of catching the disease.

I know some of these will be impossible depending on where you work and how you go on transport. But I hope this gives you more confidence on how to protect yourself and others, and to convince the people around you as well. Stay safe all.