There's strong accumulating evidence that, under the right conditions, COVID can be transmitted in ways that are not currently reflected in our guidelines. People urgently need to understand what's happening and why so they can take the correct steps to mitigate. Crucial for all.
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Let me say this outright: This is unscientific, stupid and wrong. This is incredible. Six months in, how can we be this behind the science? This make so little sense that my head hurts. This is why focusing on the right science matters. h/t
@MartynaAFoxhttps://twitter.com/POLITICOEurope/status/1288897647344889863 …Show this thread -
So, this is ridiculous.
@Delta is trying to reassure me flying is safe by mentioning... Lysol! Disinfecting! But not mentioning the actually reassuring things: cabin air is recycled every few minutes; cleaned by HEPA filters that can remove viruses and is circulated vertically.pic.twitter.com/cg5aqWgxrq
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Yes very much. I’ve been corresponding with Japanese experts and I have their documents going back to March. They’ve really been on the money. My piece has more on what Japan figure out to do because they took short-range aerosols seriously from the start.https://twitter.com/covidpath/status/1288863784358916097 …
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Thank you! Indeed, ventilation is a layer in the mitigation stack. But understanding the role of short-range aerosols and potential airborne transmission makes how we should do the rest clearer. https://twitter.com/brianbruce7/status/1289039672627396608?s=21 …https://twitter.com/BrianBruce7/status/1289039672627396608 …
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Note to editors assigning COVID pieces. This is ~5K words, (Had another 1K on hygiene theater when
@DKThomp scooped me with a great piece!). Overwhelming feedback: thank you for the details! Do let your writers go long and treat the reader as a partner.
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/07/why-arent-we-talking-more-about-airborne-transmission/614737/ …Show this thread -
Yes. When schools open, they need to focus on ventilation, masks and distancing/separation especially among the staff and the older students. A sensible level of cleaning high-touch surfaces is good, but ventilation/masks is key and not to be overlooked!https://twitter.com/rachbarnhart/status/1289245963773546500 …
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People have been asking about germicidal UV lights for killing the virus in indoor spaces. It is a real tool, and hospitals use it, but I did not include that in the article because it is not something to try without calling in the experts. Real dangers. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/07/why-arent-we-talking-more-about-airborne-transmission/614737/ …
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I’ve been looking for a good analogy to airborne vs sprayborne, and asked all the experts, and this may yet be the best (for people who go to hair salons!)
This matters, because having the correct mental model can empower people to think through this.https://twitter.com/tressiemcphd/status/1289602987711582208 …Show this thread -
Exactly. Aerosols are like short-range mist—the closer you are to the person emitting it, the more exposure *but* under the right conditions (poorly ventilated indoors space), the mist can accumulate and even be pushed around by air currents beyond 6 feet. https://twitter.com/dylanhmorris/status/1289612851762667521 …
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What it's like to be a woman writing about tech/science/society. Two things happened the same day, and one of them is random dude telling me I "clearly have no clue" about airborne spread, just after I wrote a ~5K article about it. No track record is ever good enough for women.
pic.twitter.com/a0po2Pk24A
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Because of my piece on ventilation, I keep getting asked for practical advice. CDC and health authorities should update guidelines. But for individuals? I'd say avoid Japan's 3Cs: closed spaces, crowded places, close-range conversations. And wear masks. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/07/why-arent-we-talking-more-about-airborne-transmission/614737/ …pic.twitter.com/w9lnPVUhDB
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Pandemic theater. Broncos players are coming out of an *indoors* locker room, to pant at each other at close range, but not before being sprayed by, uh, mumbo-jumbo nano-crystalline disinfectants!. (Do more! Activate the holosensors! Use positronic beams too!)
ht @benjiwadepic.twitter.com/gv7bNmDNjn
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I mean if we’re going to do pandemic theater, at least let’s do it right, with some elegance amd history. My grandmother would’ve put an evil eye charm on all of them.
Tradition > technobabble.pic.twitter.com/A2mi6dnaXK
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Write an article about aerosols, get a LinkedIn inbox that feels like who's who of HVAC/IAQ companies.
No I can't endorse products.
But my own AC is on the fritz? (And my landlord is trying to evict me, so not going corrupt and helping fix his AC for free at the same time!)Show this thread -
YES! Dr. Fauci acknowledges some aerosolization. Says indoor/outdoor different, indoors "much greater risk than outside.” Emphasizes "mask-wearing indoors." Acknowledges ~5-10 μm can float, says they likely got that wrong.
Now, hopefully new guidelines! https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/03/fauci-says-theres-a-degree-the-coronavirus-is-spreading-through-air-particles.html …pic.twitter.com/flPn9T4V8a
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Thrilled to see the message about the importance of ventilation *finally* breaking through to the broader public (at least, I hope so!). (Sane policies for/media coverage of the safer activities outdoors, maybe, too, one can hope?)https://twitter.com/misguidedsoul7/status/1291069337600774144 …Show this thread -
Why important to understand the role aerosols may play correctly even though they, too, cluster in close-range of the person. Droplets=only in front of one. Aerosols=escape behind one if mask is poorly fitting. Keep your mask on indoors even at distance.https://twitter.com/jljcolorado/status/1280935408398766080 …
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Short answer: Hepa filters with no gimmicks (ionizer, UV) are good for unventilated spaces. Higher CADR (smoke rating) is better. If you can open windows/doors for good air circulation, better. Better answer: follow
@jljcolorado@ShellyMBoulder@kprather88https://twitter.com/__apf__/status/1292085934767316997 …Show this thread -
Thread below with some answers. Also more experts to follow:
@linseymarr,@corsiaq,@JimRosenthal4,@stephensbrent. That said, it's past time for CDC to step up and give us guidance on ventilation. As I wrote, Japan has been doing that since the beginning.https://twitter.com/jljcolorado/status/1291760621822726145 …Show this thread -
The dearth of communication from health authorities on even the most basic questions like the one below is maddening. The few experts on social media are doing what they can, but it's really time for the academy to form it's own shadow CDC to communicate.https://twitter.com/zeynep/status/1291777886014365696 …
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Same dynamics that led to misrepresentation of mask research early on—ignoring evidence (a-presymptomatic spread), making baseless claims (false sense of security/harm), treating the public like children, lack of clarity on evidence to action etc. are in-play with ventilation.
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"More research is needed." Yep, as usual. Just like with masks in March, there's a preponderance of evidence to act on ventilation. The answer to shortages was to treat the public as a partner & adults who deserve information; the answer to "don't scare the public" is.. the same.
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FWIW, the reason I got into ventilation/short-range aerosol research was what I heard from *epidemiologists* first who decisively argued that that epi data was the strongest reason to suspect this mode of transmission. This isn't a US-only conversation!https://twitter.com/B_resnick/status/1293934375009165312 …
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That engineers are arguing for aerosol transmission while Epi/ID folks are against works only if one cherry-picks examples plus ignores countries with top-notch experts and solid track record outside the US/EU. Even here, despite disagreements, the consensus/overlap isn't small.
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This week, the WHO is holding a "wear-a-mask" challenge and our outlets are writing a "how did the WHO/US/CDC/UK/EU/media got it so wrong" articles. How about we do better this time and practice evidence-based causal inference and communication that treats the public like adults?
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Honestly, the idea that there's some sort of engineers vs. epidemiologists/infectious-disease specialists divide on airborne/aerosol transmission is just not true the moment you step out into the world. Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan.. US is just behind, again, that's all.
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This is why this "debate" matters. This isn't safe even if people are distanced (WHO says 3 feet and CDC says 6 feet is enough!!) exactly because short-range aerosols and their accumulation indoors, not just droplets that immediately fall, is a concern.https://twitter.com/trishgreenhalgh/status/1293826751844450304?s=20 …
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Why getting airborne right matters. UNC has clusters. (Surprise? No). They're contact tracing for within six feet without masks. NOT ENOUGH FOR INDOORS. Distance isn't that protective indoors *and* source-control masks aren't magic. We need updated evidence-based guidelines ASAP.pic.twitter.com/ob2zTSVALa
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The cost of not explaining the mode of transmission and risks correctly. This is simply not protective enough indoors, and CDC and the WHO need to urgently update their guidelines. (Look at that window that's being ignored!) https://twitter.com/ProfChrisMJones/status/1293909582692007936 …
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