Thread by @covid19indiaorg

Beyond 6ft: Droplets vs. Aerosols

Why are we advised to maintain 6 feet distance for safety? Is there a chance to catch Covid19 even if one is more than 6ft away from an infected person? Why is wearing masks critical?

We explore these questions in this short thread.

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There are 4 main modes of transmission of respiratory viruses:

✅ Contact: Spread through direct contact with an infected person.
✅ Formite: Spread through touching surfaces/objects that carry the virus.
✅ Droplet: Spread through larger droplets exhaled by the person.

2/n

✅ Airborne: Spread through smaller droplets that remain suspended in the air over longer distances.

📌 Why 6ft distance?
Respiratory 'droplets' are larger particles that contain the virus. Droplet transmission happens in close proximity, generally within about 6ft.

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📌 Can Covid19 virus travel beyond 6ft?
Enter aerosols. Aerosols are smaller particles that can remain suspended in the air for a longer time, as well as travel beyond 6ft.
Multiple studies have shown the possibility of aerosol transmission under specific conditions.

4/n

Aerosol transmission of Covid19 virus is conducive in 👇

➡️ Indoor environments with poor ventilation
➡️ Type of activity: Louder an activity, higher the changes of aerosol spread
➡️ Time spent in an enclosed space.

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📌 What can be done to protect one from aerosol transmission?

➡️ Understand that Covid19 can spread beyond 6ft.
➡️ Reduce indoor activities, especially when it's not well ventilated.
➡️ WEAR A MASK.
➡️ Upgrade ventilation systems of institutions/offices/businesses.

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