Better out than in

The sAfest plAce to meet up is outdoors, where the risk of trAnsmission is lower

The vaccine rollout continues – and while cases of Covid-19 are no longer at their peak, everyone needs to remain vigilant and play their part as the virus still circulates through communities all over the UK.

Around a third of people who have the virus show no symptoms and can spread it without knowing – so as the Stay Home advice eases, it’s vital that people who meet friends and loved ones do so mindfully and safely.

Up to six people from different households can now meet outdoors and organised outdoor sport can resume – but it’s important to minimise travel and continue to work from home if you can. It’s vital that we still observe the Hands, Face, Space rule and meet outdoors only. professor tim sharpe, head of the architecture department at the university of strathclyde and member of sAge, answers questions about safe ways to meet outdoors

Q AIf the vaccine programme is going so well, why can’t we open up more quickly? The vaccine programme is going well, but it’s still going. We’re on a journey, and we’re not at the end of that journey yet. So, although a lot of people have been vaccinated, a lot haven’t and are still at risk.

And those risks are still the same. Until a much larger number of people are vaccinated, there will still be those significant risks of catching Covid. The virus is still out there.

This is certainly going to be the case for a few months yet. Certain groups are a long way from being vaccinated – and you’ve seen the news recently that supply chains for the vaccine may affect the rate at which the rollout can happen.

Part of this is just being slightly cautious about it. So we’re taking one step at a time. What you don’t want to do is run before you can walk and then have to roll back. That would be a worstcase scenario. Taking a precautionary approach is the best way to do this.

Q Aissue is that the virus can accumulate over time, so you’re breathing its particles. If you’re further away, it’s less of a risk, but if you remain in that space for a long time Most of the transmission and it’s poorly ventilated, has happened indoors for they build up. various reasons. Buildings are

Q

where people come together for work and to socialise.

A

They are where you have Yes. People are further people in close proximity, talking apart, you have fresh and interacting. The second air, the virus is diluted, it dries

How does the virus spread indoors? So we’re much safer outdoors?

in the air, move about and accumulate over time.

Qyou have crowds, people get pushed in together, they’re very close. Crowds sing, chant and shout – all of those are aerosol generating procedures. So that is a risk factor. Then there’s getting to A

It’s less of a concern and from the event, plus going outside because it’s not to bathrooms, eating and all contained. Indoors, it’s like those other dimensions that someone smoking: if you are part of the problem. And were sitting next to them with a larger crowd, the chance you could see the smoke that someone there has Covid and everyone could smell it. is greater than if it’s a small

Where you are outdoors gathering of people. makes a difference, too. If you’re

Q standing by the seaside and it’s a windy day it’s perfect, but if out and sunlight may help. you’re in a market or a more

A

It’s a natural cleansing enclosed space there’s less air Don’t let your guard down. agent, so UV light may play movement and the risk is People may start with the a part as well. Fresh air and correspondingly higher. These best intentions – we all do it, you sunlight are healthy for are the sort of judgments we meet someone in a park and many reasons. need to think about. you’re standing and chatting

and you gravitate closer, maybe Q Q

Is it important to define because you can’t hear. I think

the differences between that’s where it’s dangerous –

airborne and aerosol droplets? you don’t maintain a strict

A A

There’s no hard dividing The more people you adherence to the rules over line, but larger droplets will have, the more times time. The longer you spend with drop to the floor pretty quickly, you’re rolling the dice, the somebody the more you tend and smaller droplets will stay more risk there is. And when to relax. So just be cautious.

Is aerosol still a concern outside? Is that why we need to observe social distancing rules? Why can’t we have football and horse racing crowds back yet? What advice would you give to people who are meeting up outside?