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For a doctor, the very thought of people keeping their windows closed “makes their heads explode in anger.”
For his part, a prominent engineer says he embarrasses his family in restaurants when he tries to get him in fresh air.
The two are part of a growing group of experts concerned about how the coronavirus can build up in rooms. poorly ventilated.
His message is that the authorities must stress the importance of The outside air.
What is the problem?
According to Dr Eilir Hughes, who runs a health center in North Wales, the British government’s slogan “hands, space, face” it does not have enough reach.
The slogan appears on the lectern used by Prime Minister Boris Johnson during briefings, giving it considerable importance.
But Hughes, who became known as “Dr Aire Fresco” for his campaign on the subject, he thinks he should say “hands, space, face, replace”.
Hughes says replacing the stale air in a room with fresh air from outside can significantly reduce the risk of infection.
Dr Hughes says his post garnered attention.
“I tell people: “Give yourself some fresh air this Christmas.
What does science say?
At the start of the pandemic, authorities focused on what were believed to be the most likely routes of infection.
One is the risk of hitting a contaminated surfacehence the recommendation to wash your hands frequently.
The other is to receive drops produced when someone coughs or sneezes, which has led to the two-meter rule of social distancing and the use of masks.
But the possibility of a third route of transmission, through tiny virus particles called aerosols that remain in the air, is now also widely accepted.
This contagion trend was recognized by UK government advisers earlier this year and later by the World Health Organization.
US officials went even further, claiming that inhaling droplets and aerosols would be the The main route of spread of the virus. “
Faced with this risk, hand washing, social distancing and the use of masks they are not a guarantee of protection.
Do open windows really make a difference?
Shaun Fitzgerald, professor at the Royal Academy of Engineering at Cambridge University, is convinced of this and has made it a personal mission improve ventilation when I can.
This includes trying to open windows that have been sealed or have not been serviced in years.
“I refuse to be in a place that is not well ventilated,” he says.
Research shows that a good supply of fresh air to dilute and disperse the virus, according to Dr Fitzgerald, can reduce the risk of infection by 70% to 80%.
Fitzgerald supports messages about handwashing, social distancing and face covering, but says fresh air “is always fourth on the list, or often non-existent.”
“My biggest concern is that with the new strain of virus we know that keeping the aerosols at a low level will be even more important and that means keeping the places properly ventilated ”, explains the expert.
What are the dangers?
Fitzgerald points to a recent investigation at a restaurant in South Korea that highlighted how the virus can spread inside.
With the help of contact follow-up and cameras, scientists were able to establish how one restaurant could infect two others despite being over four meters away and the other over 20 feet away.
Even though the three of them were only in the same room for a few minutes, that was enough for the air conditioner to carry the virus. great distances.
“Aerosols can walk several meters once they’re up in the air, ”Fitzgerald says.
“Two meters further does not give you security, the only thing that does is good ventilation. If they had opened the windows of this restaurant it might well have made a difference. ”
Should we let in the cold?
Dr Fitzgerald says it’s not about opening all the windows wide throughout the day, but making sure there are enough openings for fresh air.
And also regroup better.
“I would recommend wearing a wool sweater rather than a short sleeve blouse.
“But that’s what we should be doing anyway, to save on heating bills and reduce our energy demand, because we’re all doing our part to fight the heat. climate change“, The Seal of Fitzgerald.
For his part, Dr Hughes says ventilating rooms for a few minutes several times a day won’t waste a lot of heat and keep people safer.
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