Edhat Staff
Photo/Video: FMI/AALTO/VTT/UH/CSC
By edhat staff
Researchers in Finland released a 3D simulation of how rapidly a cough can spread through a supermarket.
According to the study, aerosol particles emitted from the respiratory tract when coughing, sneezing or talking can remain in the air longer than originally thought. These particles can carry pathogens such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) further spreading the disease.
In the 3D model, a person coughs in a corridor with indoor ventilation airflow conditions, resembling a grocery store aisle. A cloud is emitted to represent the cough that travels in the air around the individual before spreading to the next aisle and throughout the store. It takes several minutes for the cloud to spread and disperse.
“Someone infected by the coronavirus can cough and walk away but then leave behind extremely small aerosol particles carrying the coronavirus. These particles could then end up in the respiratory tract of others in the vicinity,” stated Aalto University Assistant Professor Ville Vuorinen.
Researchers state based on their preliminary results it is important to avoid busy public indoor spaces. This also reduces the risk of droplet infection, which remains the main path of transmission for coronavirus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using cloth face coverings, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission such as grocery stories and pharmacies, as well as maintaining physical distancing.
“We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms,” according to the CDC.
Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure. The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
If it’s truly this bad, shouldn’t we keep locked down until a cure? I mean, if this is still a deadly disease and it’s so easily spread, then masks and socially distancing should be required until we have a means of combating the virus.
Highly exxagerated to get your attention to the matter no doubt .
It’s remarkable how many people still aren’t following social distancing. Even with signs everywhere at markets and marking tape on the ground, I’ve had to dodge oblivious people every time I go out.
CHILLIN – I’ve noticed the same, especially since they’ve told us to wear masks! People put on their masks and think they can carry on as normal. NO. I had people brushing past me, reaching over me, etc at the store wearing masks. Masks alone won’t protect you! You need to still keep your distances.
I think it’s up to everyone to make up their own minds. Stay isolated if you are worried, or go back to normal if you are willing to accept the risks. You are free to choose. I would encourage those who are inclined to go back to normal life to try to be respectful of those who wish to continue isolating to the extent possible. However, regardless of your perspective I don’t think it’s fair to try to impose your preferred approach on others.
CHIP – I kind of agree, but at the same time, if people start going out and about to risk it now, then we’re back at square one. Accepting the risk is one thing, but if you get it, you can now spread it to those who did not want to risk it – co-workers, family, friends. This is what’s frustrating. We need to get back to work and life as normal, but if it means spreading this disease, then it’s pointless.
And my comment below is in reference to CHIP, not 1:04 PM. So 1:04 PM the answer is, yes, you are correct. Chip is wrong. He doesn’t get that his live free or die mentality may not cause only himself to die, but others, too. And that is wrong.
From NPR discussion: “Now, citing Santarpia’s results along with other studies, a committee of independent experts convened by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has weighed in, in response to a question from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy about whether the virus “could be spread by conversation in addition to sneeze/cough-induced droplets.”
“Currently available research supports the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 could be spread via bioaerosols generated directly by patients’ exhalation,” says a letter from the committee chair. By bioaerosols, they are referring to fine particles emitted when someone breathes that can be suspended in the air rather than larger droplets produced through coughs and sneezes.
We don’t know yet, but you will never be able to describe a cutoff level in anything other than statistical terms. For some cases, one virus particle may suffice, although it would be a rare occurrence relative to those with larger doses.
I think I already had it in December. Never been so sick in my life. Couldn’t breathe normally for a month.
If you know they are there, are you going to ignore that? Most of us are thinking better safe than sorry.
Reasonable, Chip, for you to be willing to accept the risks, but, imo, not reasonable to inflict those risks on others in public places, such as grocery stores or other essential activity places.
Not if a cure is a year or more out… Sadly 2 people have died so far in Santa Barbara County. That’s out of 446,499 people. That’s a .0004% death rate. Any death is terrible, obviously. If the people in our country can’t work for a year however, that death rate is going to skyrocket and not from Covid-19.
There’s no way you had it in December
PUG: actually, it’s entirely possible they had it in December. Do you know if they traveled to Europe or Asia in December? “New evidence suggests that the earliest cases of COVID-19 were seen in November….” ——–https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/prevention-and-screening-articles/wuhan-coronavirus
Ever wonder why you can smell someone popping popcorn in a microwave from far away. Same with a BBQ or a cigarette. That’s because you’re inhaling microscopic particles that travelled a non-negligible distance to you. You are also inhaling molecules, but those particles can travel far. In the case of popcorn, it’s an aerosol of tiny oil droplets, whereas the smokes are suspensions of solid matter. That simulation is quite real, and if I were to hear someone cough or sneeze in a grocery store I will leave my cart in place and head to the nearest exit away from the source.
I’m with you on that one. If you want to live in a bubble go ahead. The rest of us would like to get on with things.
This is disturbing, but very valuable work. Hard to believe that the particles spread that far and stay in the air for 7 full minutes.
Accepting the risks? Like the risks of moving the virus along and prolonging the virus? Currently normal life is what will keep the virus around. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that everyone wanting a sense of normalcy back will be respectful of others. 1:34 said it beautifully.
Hey Shasta, as far I I can tell, choroquine and related analogs are anti-inflammatory. Idealy they would be most active when they bind receptor sites on the host cell or virus, the way antivirals work. If they are working on patients currently, they are ameliorating the flooding of liquid into the lungs, which can cause pneumonia.