COVID-19: Without masks, two meters distancing is not enough, research
finds
Simulations track the spread of coughs and safe physical distancing
indoors

Date:
October 5, 2021
Source:
McGill University
Summary:
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 indoors, the two meters physical
distancing guideline is not enough without masks, according
to researchers. However, wearing a mask indoors can reduce the
contamination range of airborne particles by about 67 percent.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 indoors, the two metres physical
distancing guideline is not enough without masks, according to researchers
from Quebec, Illinois, and Texas. However, wearing a mask indoors can
reduce the contamination range of airborne particles by about 67 percent.


========================================================================== "Mask mandates and good ventilation are critically important to curb
the spread of more contagious strains of COVID-19, especially during
the flu season and winter months as more people socialize indoors,"
says Saad Akhtar, a former doctoral student under the supervision of
Professor Agus Sasmito at McGill University.

While most public health guidelines recommend physical distancing of
two metres for people from different households, the researchers say
distancing alone is not enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In a
study published in Building and Environment, the researchers found that
when people are unmasked, more than 70 percent of airborne particles
pass the two metres threshold within the 30 seconds. By contrast, less
than 1 percent of particles cross the two-metre mark if masks are worn.

Simulating coughing dynamics Building on models used by scientists to
study the flow of liquids and gasses, the team from McGill University, Universite' de Sherbrooke, Texas A&M University, and Northern Illinois University, developed a computer program to accurately simulate coughing dynamics in indoor spaces.

While ventilation, a person's posture, and mask-wearing impacted the
spread of the bio-contaminants significantly, the impact of age and
gender was marginal, the researchers found.

Coughing is one of the main sources of spread of airborne viruses from symptomatic individuals. "This study advances the understanding of how infectious particles can spread from a source to its surroundings and
can help policymakers and governments make informed decisions about
guidelines for masks and distancing in indoor settings," says Akhtar.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by McGill_University. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Jayaveera Muthusamy, Syed Haq, Saad Akhtar, Mahmoud A. Alzoubi,
Tariq
Shamim, Jorge Alvarado. Implication of coughing dynamics on
safe social distancing in an indoor environment--A numerical
perspective. Building and Environment, 2021; 206: 108280 DOI:
10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108280 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211005124725.htm

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