Fresh air and masks key to beating airborne virus
A GP has spoken out about the risk of catching coronavirus indoors as experts believe signs of a second wave are emerging. Acting political editor Will Hayward reports
AGP wants people in Wales to understand the real risks of catching coronavirus indoors. The latest research suggests that the virus can be spread in small droplets known as aerosols, which means it could be present in the air for hours and inhaled into the lungs unless proper precautions are taken.
Welsh GP Dr Eilir Hughes and material scientist and risk management expert Dr Huw Waters have come together to produce a website making the latest scientific information on coronavirus available to the public.
What do they say?
On the website www.freshair. wales the pair say that even social distancing may not be enough to keep safe if you are inside for an extended period of time.
They have produced graphics that clearly show that wearing a mask can help reduce your risk of catching coronavirus – and reduce the dose you inhale if you do.
They say that the latest data suggests that homes could be risky for hours, with aerosols able to travel tens of metres.
On their website they say: “Aerosols, just like droplets, are at their highest concentration within two metres of an infected person but can travel tens of metres. These aerosols can accumulate and remain infectious in indoor air for hours and can be easily inhaled deep into the lungs.
“There are two respiratory virus transmission pathways – contact (direct or indirect between people and contaminated surfaces) and airborne. Much has been made of tackling contact transmission through advice on maintaining social distance as much as possible and regular hand and surface washing.
“However, little focus has been given to airborne transmission. The method of infection depends upon the droplet size. Small droplets are known as aerosols.”
So what can you do to protect yourself?
According to Dr Hughes and Dr Waters, you should try to change the air in your house by opening windows to stop a build-up of aerosols.
Creating a draught through your home is the key to this and they also suggest using a fan to push air out of your home.
One way to work out if you are changing the air enough in your house is to use CO2 levels. An explanation of how to do that can be found on their website.
And it matters how much virus you take in.
“Research has also observed a correlation between viral load and the severity of symptoms,” they wrote.
There is a growing body of evidence that the more Covid-19 you breathe in, the more likely you are to be seriously ill. Because of this, the pair are strongly suggesting that you use a mask when indoors.
“An increase in the number of asymptomatic infections has been attributed to increased mask-wearing,” they wrote, adding:
“A mask can act as a source-control for an infected person but may also protect healthy individuals by reducing the viral load consumed.”
The pair draw attention to the recommendations of Jose-Luis Jimenez, a professor of chemistry and an aerosol expert, who recommends:
Don’t go to indoor public spaces unless it’s absolutely necessary;
If you are indoors, spend the least time there you can;
Make sure when you’re indoors the room is well-ventilated, including mechanical ventilation like particle air filters and natural ventilation like open windows and doors; Always wear a mask indoors; Make sure the mask fits and doesn’t have gaps; and,
Anyone who is talking to others – especially to a large group – should be wearing a mask. Shouting and singing are especially problematic and should be avoided.
Why have they put this website together?
“Myself and Huw, we come from different disciplines” said Dr Hughes. “He is a material scientist trained in risk management and I am a GP.
“We brought our heads together to look at what the most up-to-date science tells us about how the virus spreads.
“From that website you can see that the latest science describes that the virus can spread by aerosols.This has a huge bearing on what measures are implemented and recommended.”
Both men want to make the latest data more accessible to the public to help reduce the risks as we head into a potential second wave in winter.
Dr Hughes said: “If you don’t apply the most up-to-date knowledge we can’t do the best that we can do.
“The idea of this website was to make this available for everyone and anyone so it wasn’t hidden away in a journal where a layperson wouldn’t be able to get access to it.
“We have formulated some very basic and simple recommendations on how we could reduce the risk of the aerosol transmission element of the virus.
“It’s something we can all apply if we are indoors.”