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One of many strangest elements of the pandemic was the early insistence by the WHO and the CDC that COVID was not airborne. “FACT: #COVID19 is NOT airborne.” the WHO tweeted on March 28, 2020, accompanied by a big graphic (at proper). Even at the moment, there was loads of proof that COVID was airborne. So why was the WHO so insistent that it wasn’t?
Satirically, a few of the resistance to airborne transmission may be traced again to a big achievement in epidemiology. Particularly, John Snow’s groundbreaking arguments that cholera was unfold by means of water and meals, not unhealthy air (miasma). Snow’s concept took a very long time to be accepted however when the story of germ concept’s eventual triumph got here to be informed, the unhealthy air proponents have been painted as outdated and ignorant. This sentiment was so pervasive amongst physicians and well being officers that anybody suggesting airborne transmission of illness was vaguely suspect and tainted. Therefore, the WHOs and CDCs readiness to label airborne transmission as harmful, unscientific “misinformation” promulgated on social media (see the graphic). In actuality, after all, the 2 theories weren’t at odds as one may simply settle for that some germs have been airborne. Certainly, there have been consultants within the physics of aerosols who mentioned simply that however these consultants have been siloed in departments of physics and engineering and never in drugs, epidemiology and public well being.
On account of this siloing, we misplaced time and lives by telling those who they have been fantastic in the event that they saved to the 6ft “rule” and washed their palms, when what we should always have been telling them was open the home windows, clear the air with UVC, and get exterior. Home windows not windex.
Linsey Marr at Virginia Tech was one of many aerosol consultants who took a distinguished position in publicly opposing the WHO steerage and making the case for aerosol transmission (Jose-Luis Jimenez was one other necessary instance). Thus, it’s good to see that Marr is amongst this yr’s MacArthur “genius” award winners. interview with Marr is right here.
It didn’t take a genius to know airborne transmission nevertheless it took braveness to place one’s popularity on the road and go towards what appeared just like the scientific consensus. Marr’s award is thus an award to a scientist for talking publicly in a time of disaster. I hope it encourages others, each to talk up when vital but additionally to pay attention.
Addendum: I didn’t participate within the aerosol debates however my spouse, who has completed analysis in aerosols and germs, informed me early on that “after all COVID is airborne!” Correctly, I selected to take the phrase of my spouse over that of the WHO and CDC.
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