Spread of droplets in the air vs. distance

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the transmission of coronavirus through respiratory droplets and the significance of distance in mitigating this spread. It establishes that while a 6-foot distance is recommended, the actual difference between 5.9 and 6.0 feet is negligible. The size of droplets plays a crucial role, with smaller droplets capable of traveling farther and remaining airborne longer. A recommended resource for further understanding is the article "Aerosols, Droplets, and Airborne Spread: Everything you could possibly want to know" by Justin Morgenstern, alongside an open letter from scientists advocating for recognition of airborne transmission.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of respiratory droplet dynamics
  • Familiarity with aerosol science
  • Knowledge of COVID-19 transmission guidelines
  • Awareness of public health communication strategies
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of droplet size on airborne transmission
  • Study the mathematical models of droplet dispersion
  • Examine the open letter on airborne transmission published by scientists
  • Read "Aerosols, Droplets, and Airborne Spread: Everything you could possibly want to know" by Justin Morgenstern
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for public health officials, epidemiologists, and anyone involved in COVID-19 research or policy-making, particularly those focused on transmission dynamics and preventive measures.

Beliavsky
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To reduce the transmission of coronavirus, people are recommended to stay 6 feet apart from others. The 6 feet number is a simple guideline, but there is not much difference between 5.9 and 6.0 feet.

How does the number of droplets you breathe from another person vary with the distance d? Is it 1/d, 1/d^2, or something else?
 
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A group of several hundred scientists just published an open letter, "It's time to talk about airborne transmission of covid-19". They criticize out of touch health authorities and summarize the body of knowledge about airborne transmission. I think it's a good starting point for answering your questions.

https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaa939/5867798
 
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