These are the odds of catching coronavirus in an elevator | the Chronicle

The virologist Julian Tang, a professor at the University of Leicester, has assessed the chances of catching coronavirus in the elevator, an issue that worries many who use it at home or in the workplace.

As noted, the SARS-COV-2 virus is spread primarily through droplets and aerosols from people a short distance away. These droplets and sprays are mainly produced by coughing, sneezing, singing, talking or breathing heavily.

Tang noted that although this is a minor transmission route, it is possible to come into contact with the virus through contaminated surfaces, such as elevator buttons.

As, Jonathan reid, Director of the Bristol Aerosol Research Center (BARC) and professor of physical chemistry at the University of Bristol, said the main factors that determine whether or not you get the virus are “The proximity and duration of the exhibition”, according to the Huffington Post.

If the elevator is small and it is impossible to maintain a distance of a meter and a half between occupants, the risk of contracting the virus increases, as does the likelihood that you will inhale the aerosols the other person expels.

This does not mean that you are going to be infected if you share a lift with an infected person, as it is not yet known how many viruses must enter the body to contract the disease. What we do know is that masks remain at the very least essential to prevent the largest droplets with a higher viral load from escaping into the open air.

Proximity matters so much because “The likelihood of being infected with aerosols and droplets increases dramatically the closer you get to the infected person, especially if they are not wearing a mask.”Reid explained.

Another important factor, as mentioned earlier, is the time you spend in the elevator. From pure statistics, it is known that most infections occur as a result of prolonged contact in poorly ventilated places. “When using the elevator the risk is minimal because the exposure time is very lowReid reassures.

In short, the risk is very low, especially if you take precautions, as he explains. Joe allen, assistant professor at Harvard. “I understand that there is a lot of anxiety, but the reality is that the risk of contracting the coronavirus in an elevator is very low. “