How do you protect yourself from the transmission of the Corona virus through the air?

When it comes to the "Covid-19" virus, many factors must be taken into account to protect yourself and others from infection.

The French newspaper " L' Obs " says that many people are wondering about the risks of mixing with people in confined spaces such as the workplace and public transport, especially in light of the rapid spread of the mutant Omicron.

Corona virus carriers

“Covid-19” infection is transmitted mainly through nasal or oral secretions, which spread in the air when speaking, coughing, sneezing, or with breathing in general. These secretions take two forms: first, droplets of aerosols whose size ranges from micrometers to millimeters and lands on the ground or on any surface that intercepts them within a distance of less than two metres, and secondly, aerosols, which are very fine particles whose size ranges from a few thousand micrometers to 100 micrometers. To travel in the air a distance of more than two metres.

In contrast to large aerosol droplets, aerosol particles can float in the air for a few minutes, and may remain suspended for up to tens of minutes and longer in very fine droplets after they evaporate in a closed, stagnant environment.

4 channels transmission

The newspaper pointed out that the droplets and aerosols issued by a sick person are the first carriers of the “Covid-19” infection. The infection is transmitted through droplets of droplets that enter the respiratory tract or through the mouth or eyes if the distance between the injured person and those around him is less than two meters, while aerosols can reach the respiratory system even at a distance of more than two meters.

Infection can also occur through physical contact with a surface contaminated with droplets and aerosols that carry virus particles.

Contact can be direct, for example when an infected person coughs into their hand or blows their nose, and then shakes hands with another person who then touches their face with their hands.

The infection is indirect by touching a contaminated surface, for example when one touches a contaminated door handle and then again touches one's face.

Transmission of infection without direct contact is certain

The newspaper stated that the possibility of transmitting “Covid-19” infection without direct contact was the subject of many studies and hypotheses that were recently reviewed by the National Agency for Health and Environmental Control, and showed that there is a strong body of evidence proving the transmission of infection through aerosols loaded with infectious particles.

And a laboratory study showed that the “SARS Cove-2” virus (the scientific name for the Corona virus) can live in droplets of droplets, and this means that transmission of infection through the air is also possible.

This hypothesis was proven correct by reporting cases of infection among people who were isolated in adjacent hotel rooms, as the virus spread among them through the air conditioning system. The virus genome was discovered in air handling unit filters and ventilation ducts in hospitals that hosted Covid-19 patients.

Density of viral particles and duration of exposure increases the risk of infection

It is still impossible to determine the infection rate for each way the virus is transmitted, but it is certain that virus particles in a closed and poorly ventilated environment in which there is a person infected with “Covid-19” or more will accumulate in the air until they reach concentrations sufficient to transmit infection between others, and the more The greater the density of virus particles in the air, the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of infection, especially when a medical mask is not worn.

The “Covid-19” virus can live in the air for up to 3 hours, while it loses half of its activity after about an hour outside the host’s body under experimental conditions (65% humidity and temperature 21-23 °C), which corresponds to a winter indoor environment . It has also been shown that low temperatures and extreme relative humidity can allow the virus to survive for a longer period.

Reducing the spread of the virus through the air

The newspaper pointed out that the problem of transmission of infection through the air is especially raised in poorly ventilated indoor environments when the number of people in them increases, with continuous physical or vocal activities, as well as not wearing masks. This applies to classrooms in educational institutions, restaurants, gymnasiums, concert halls and public restrooms.

To prevent the risk of infection, be sure to wear a medical mask and ventilate the place you are well to reduce virus particles in the air.

The concentration of carbon dioxide in the air is a good indicator for knowing when to ventilate the room. The Supreme Council of Public Health recommends a minimum level of carbon dioxide in the range of 800 parts per million, and if it is more than that, then ventilation is necessary.