Current consensus on catching COVID.

in #covid5 years ago

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https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-exactly-do-you-catch-covid-19-there-is-a-growing-consensus-11592317650

From the article linked above :

It’s not common to contract Covid-19 from a contaminated surface, scientists say. And fleeting encounters with people outdoors are unlikely to spread the coronavirus.

Instead, the major culprit is close-up, person-to-person interactions for extended periods. Crowded events, poorly ventilated areas and places where people are talking loudly—or singing, in one famous case—maximize the risk.

tl;dr -
Transmission via surfaces appears to be a small part of the picture.

"Aerosol" transmission - extremely small particles that can stay airborne a long time or travel more than a few feet - can happen but isn't a major source.

Droplets is the primary vector. And it apparently takes a bunch to get sick. Key dangers:

  • Indoors
  • Close range
  • More than a few minutes
  • Extra danger with poor ventilation, heavy breathing, loud talking, singing.

Odds of infecting each household member: about 20%.

I'd add:

Droplets as the main vector is likely why masks appear to be so useful. Cloth and surgical masks may not help with aerosols but they seem to matter a lot with droplets.

Outdoor is better, but not a guarantee. I'd be very concerned about being in a stationary crowd, biking or running in a group (heavy breathing for extended periods with others "downstream"), or other prolonged close exposure, especially without masks.