Experts tell White House coronavirus can spread through talking or even just breathing
By: Elizabeth Cohen -- CNN
Note the date of publication is April 2, 2020; three months after all this started. Also note that this is from a 'prestigious scientific panel' and not a government source.
The 'prestigious scientific panel' is not providing any information based on coronavirus specific research because that is too limited. The provided information is based upon general research concerning aerosol transmission of viral diseases. It's a WAG based on analogy; not new information relating to coronavirus or COVID-19.
And the government experts weren't aware of this general information? I don't buy it. This is nothing more than bureaucratic politics and infighting.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
A prestigious scientific panel told the White House Wednesday night that research shows coronavirus can be spread not just by sneezes or coughs, but also just by talking, or possibly even just breathing.
"While the current [coronavirus] specific research is limited, the results of available studies are consistent with aerosolization of virus from normal breathing," according to the letter, written by Dr. Harvey Fineberg, chairman of a committee with the National Academy of Sciences. Fineberg told CNN that he will wear start wearing a mask when he goes to the grocery store.
"I'm not going to wear a surgical mask, because clinicians need those," said Fineberg, former dean of the Harvard School of Public Health. "But I have a nice western-style bandana I might wear. Or I have a balaclava. I have some pretty nice options."
Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key member of the White House's coronavirus task force, told CNN Tuesday that the idea of recommending broad use of masks in the US to prevent the spread of coronavirus is under "very active discussion" by the group.
Fineberg, chair of the NAS' Standing Committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases and 21st Century Health Threats, said his letter was sent Wednesday evening in response to a query from Kelvin Droegemeier with the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House.
"This letter responds to your question concerning the possibility that [coronavirus] could be spread by conversation, in addition to sneeze/cough-induced droplets," the letter states. "Currently available research supports the possibility that [coronavirus] could be spread via bioaerosols generated directly by patients' exhalation," it continues.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus spreads from person to person when people are within about 6 feet of each other "through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes."
Fineberg told CNN this is true, but that research shows that aerosolized droplets produced by talking or possibly even by just breathing can also spread the virus.
His letter explains that research at a hospital in China shows the virus can be suspended in the air when doctors and nurses remove protective gear, or when floors are cleaned, or when staff move around.
Research by the University of Nebraska shows that genetic material from the virus was found in patients' rooms more than 6 feet away from the patients, according to the letter.
Fineberg said it's possible that aerosolized coronavirus droplets can hang in the air and potentially infect someone who walks by later.
He added, however, that coronavirus is not as infectious as measles or tuberculosis.
How long coronavirus lingers in the air depends on several factors, including how much virus an infected individual puts out when breathing or talking, and also on the amount of circulation in the air, he said.
"If you generate an aerosol of the virus with no circulation in a room, it's conceivable that if you walk through later, you could inhale the virus," Fineberg said. "But if you're outside, the breeze will likely disperse it."
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CNN is trying to play Big Brother by rewriting yesterday's news. Now that we are accustomed to newspeak, all we need is groupthink and everything will be fine.
"A prestigious scientific panel told the White House Wednesday night that research shows coronavirus can be spread not just by sneezes or coughs, but also just by talking, or possibly even just breathing."
Why didn't they call it Covid (disease)-19 in their research ?
Or were they just talking about the "Common Cold" Coronavirus, and lumping it in as Covid-19 !
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Saw a story a couple days back that, at least anecdotally, supports the concern for the coronavirus might be spreading through aerosolization .
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A choir decided to go ahead with rehearsal. Now dozens of members have COVID-19 and two are dead