Elevators pose less of a Covid risk than al fresco dining



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People who follow health guidelines are at greater risk of contracting coronavirus when they visit a restaurant than they are in an elevator, Otis Worldwide CEO Judy Marks told CNBC’s Jim Cramer on Monday.

“As long as people follow other guidelines, they can reduce risk. We still want people to wear masks like everywhere else,” she said during an appearance on “Mad Money.” “Wear them in your elevators and, really, the analysis, the data and the science show you’re less at risk than eating al fresco, much closer to the grocery store.”

Marks made the comment after reviewing the results of a three-month study conducted by researchers at Purdue University, which looked at the impact of airflow in elevators on exposure to the new virus. Data from the study, which was commissioned by Otis, a leading manufacturer of elevators and escalators, and released last week.

The research, led by Dr Qingyan Chen of Purdue, looked at the risks of transmitting the coronavirus during a two-minute elevator ride. Elevator ventilation standards combined with wearing a mask can reduce the risk of exposure by 50%, while air purification can reduce the risk by 20% or more, according to information published in a press release. hurry.

Compared to the time passengers spend on public transport or workers spend at their workplace, elevator operators have a lower risk profile, Chen said in a statement.

“What most people don’t know, Jim, is that the elevator is not a closed box by design and especially by code,” said Marks, whose research the company said it will sponsor. in August. “There is an incredible amount of air ventilation in every elevator in the world.”

Otis shares slipped 0.15%, although the company posted quarterly results above analysts’ estimates. In the fourth quarter, Otis generated $ 3.49 billion in revenue, up 4% from the quarter a year ago, and produced 66 cents in earnings per share, from 47 cents.

Otis stock closed at $ 64.55 on Monday. Since the start of the year, the stock is down more than 4%.

The company is a spin-off of United Technologies Corporation.

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