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The coronavirus disease, caused by the agent severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2), wreaks havoc around the world, and its second wave occurs in many countries.
With the winter season rapidly approaching in the Northern Hemisphere, more people will remain indoors, which could lead to further spread of the virus. Previous studies have shown that the spread of the virus indoors, especially in offices, supermarkets, concert halls and other places with less ventilation, can increase as the cold season begins.
In ’73rd At the American Physical Society’s annual meeting of the Fluid Dynamics Division of the American Physical Society, researchers presented a variety of studies investigating the aerodynamics of infectious diseases.
The results of one study revealed that the amount of micrometer-scale expiratory particles emitted during vocalization, such as singing or speaking, increases dramatically with volume. The number of virus particles also increases markedly when coughing.
Simulation of pedestrian backflow (red and pink particles) confined within a corridor (blue limit), in conditions of weak social distancing. CREDIT Kelby Kramer and Gerald J. Wang
How COVID-19 spreads
SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted mainly by contact and respiratory droplets. In some circumstances, airborne transmission can occur, such as when performing aerosol-generating procedures in healthcare settings, in crowded indoor environments with poor ventilation, and when people are talking, breathing, or singing.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their guidelines, recognizing that SARS-CoV-2 is spread through aerosols. The World Health Organization (WHO) also recognized the potential for the coronavirus to spread through aerosols, so it advises people to avoid closed areas with poor ventilation.
With the potential for airborne transmission, health agencies reiterate the importance of basic infection protocols to prevent infection, such as the use of masks, physical distancing, and regular hand hygiene.
The virus spreads by singing and talking
Previous research has shown the role of large, rapidly falling objects produced by coughing or sneezing. In some superprocessor events, people became infected with SARS-CoV-2 when they were with other people indoors. For example, of 61 singers in Washington state, 53 contracted the virus after a 2.5-hour choir rehearsal in March. In another incident, 24 of the 67 passengers who were on board a bus for two hours were infected with the virus in China’s Zhejiang province.
In a report, William Ristenpart, a chemical engineer at UC Davis, revealed that when people speak or sing loudly, they generate more micron-sized particles compared to when they use a normal voice.
“Theoretical calculations suggest that vocalizing less frequently and more quietly produces substantial decreases in the probability of transmission,” the report explained. Furthermore, the report added that the particles produced by yelling or yelling far exceed the number produced by coughing.
In experiments with guinea pigs, the study researchers emphasized that influenza is transmitted through aerosolized fomites, which are virus-contaminated dust particles that are released from animals’ fur and cages, not from expiration. The team concluded that these fomites could come from sources commonly used by people, including tissue papers.
“Our results suggest that researchers should broaden their focus beyond coughing and sneezing as the presumed transmission mechanism for airborne diseases,” the study authors concluded.
Spread through musical instruments
Another study by researchers at the University of Colorado, Boulder, focused on how the virus could be spread through musical instruments. The team conducted experiments to measure aerosol emissions from musical instruments.
The team said that flutes, for example, don’t generate as many aerosols when used. However, instruments such as oboes and clarinets, which have wet and vibrating surfaces, tend to produce a lot of aerosols.
Aerosol emissions from musical instruments can be controlled. When a mask is placed over a trumpet or clarinet bell, it reduces the amount of particles in the air to levels in a normal tone of voice.
Meanwhile, a University of Minnesota research team revealed that although the amount of aerosols produced differs by musician and instrument, they rarely travel more than a foot apart. Therefore, the team designed a pandemic-sensitive seating model for live orchestras. They also decided where to place filters and audience members to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
In the workplace
During the pandemic, many employees chose to work from home. As restrictions are eased, employers are exploring ways to safely reopen their workplaces while maintaining physical distance between their employees. A team of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University used two-dimensional simulations that modeled people as particles. They identified specific conditions that would help avoid overcrowding in tight spaces like hallways.
One of the problems faced by employees in the midst of the global health crisis is commuting to and from office buildings. Since passenger cars also pose a risk of infection, a team of researchers from Brown University calculated how air moves through the cabins of passenger cars to determine strategies to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. For example, strategically opening some windows and closing others can help reduce risk.
As the new normal begins to establish itself in many countries, identifying ways to reduce the spread of the virus is crucial to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
