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Hundreds of researchers alert WHO: virus travels through the air

2020-07-06T12:57:26.162Z


According to the work of 239 scientists from 32 countries, the coronavirus is also transmitted by tiny droplets that can cross


At the start of the epidemic, the possibility had been raised, and very quickly ruled out by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is now back on the table. In an open letter to be published this week, 239 scientists say the coronavirus is well airborne, and ask WHO to modify its recommendations accordingly, according to the New York Times.

According to these scientists, who work in 32 countries, the virus can be transmitted - and infect several people - as well by large drops after a sneeze (what we already knew), as by small drops, lighter and capable to cross a room. The scientists' open letter is expected to be published in a journal next week, the New York Times said.

The World Health Organization has been ensuring for several months that the virus is generally not airborne. In documents dated June 29, the institution believes that the transmission of the virus in the air is only possible during medical procedures generating aerosols (sprays of particles in the air), such as intubations, bronchoscopies or even cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Risks in confined spaces

WHO is keen to distinguish virus sprays by large drops from those with small drops. Also according to the organization, the coronavirus is mainly transmitted via large drops emitted during sneezing and coughing fits which, because they are heavy, fall quickly on the ground and surfaces. It is for this reason that the virus would not correspond to the strict definition of an airborne virus, judges the WHO.

This distinction is questioned by several scientists interviewed by the New York Times, including the authors of the letter. They believe that the virus can also be transmitted by speaking, via tiny drops. That doesn't mean the virus hovers in the air for hours, however, warns epidemiologist Bill Hanage, who works at Harvard University, in the American newspaper.

"We have this notion (false, editor's note) that airborne transmission means that drops are suspended in the air and can infect you after several hours, that they wander in the streets, sneak through the boxes to letters and are found everywhere in the houses ”, he quips.

A turnaround for WHO

The risk of contamination would be especially higher in confined, overcrowded, poorly ventilated spaces, where several people are in close contact for a long time, judge other scientists who had already launched a similar call to WHO in early April, also quoted by the New York Times.

If these conclusions were proven, it would mean in particular that the wearing of the mask would also be necessary inside, in closed spaces, in order to avoid any infection. The role of space ventilation would also be major in the fight against the transmission of the virus.

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The revelation may also damage the image of the WHO, which has already experienced several reversals during the epidemic. In March, when Europe was beginning to be more and more affected, the organization considered that wearing a mask was not necessary for non-sick people. She then changed her mind, joining the recommendations of multiple government health authorities who made it mandatory to wear the mask in public spaces.

Source: leparis

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