I feel like once I began to visualize the aerosols all around me, it helped me understand how to protect myself and others from COVID and other respiratory viruses. I think if more people understood this we might see greater uptake of basic clean air initiatives like N95 respirators, air purifiers and a demand for better clean air standards in public indoor spaces.
That's why I share the John
Snow Project videos any chance I get.
#COVIDisAirborne #Don'tBreatheItIn
johnsnowproject.org
🇳🇱
@biologgia frankly, I dont think people want to walk around in hazmat gear all day just to prevent minor illnesses.. Thats not a solution.
Now if we can improve our air filtration systems in spaces in a way that may reduce contaminants, and clean surfaces more often, that seems a bit more reasonable.
@freemo I didn't suggest hazmat suits, and that hyperbole is not helpful. Wearing a respirator is not a big ask - I use it every day for 8 hours, only taking it off for lunch outside. I'd rather not have to wear it, but it is necessary now.
Also, COVID is not a minor illness, especially the long-term consequences of a COVID infection. Learn the basics here: https://johnsnowproject.org/long-covid
Better indoor air quality standards are not coming anytime soon. So while rates of transmission and case counts are so high, using a respirator is the best way for people to protect themselves and others right now.
@biologgia I didnt say hazmat suits, I said hazmat gear... it isny hyperbole at all, a respirator is minimal hazmat gear. In fact the lowest level of hazmat doesnt even require a respirator, only higher levels.
COVID certainly can have serious repercussions for a small portion of the population. No one is saying that it cant.. but so can many viruses and bacteria. I have had COVID 6 times so far, confirmed, and it wasnt much of an issue. The mortality on COVID used to be rather high but now is about on par with the flu.
I am not saying we shouldnt take it seriously, we should, as we should the flu and many illnesses.. But walking around wearing respirators all the time for the rest of our lives is simply not reasonable reaction to the risks at this point IMO
@freemo using the word hazmat has obvious connotations. When you respond with technically I said “gear not suits” that is disingenuous at best. No one I know refers to a respirator as hazmat gear. It is PPE, and it is the appropriate PPE for a BSL-3 pathogen. You also continue to minimize the consequences of COVID and Long COVID. It shouldn’t have to happen to you for it to matter to you. But I’d be surprised if you haven’t had some sort of post-COVID sequelae after 6 infections…
@biologgia Hazmat, level D in a lab when working with diseases is essentially just ordinary slash proof clothing and a resperator. I run such a lab, so yes I see a resperator in the context of diszeases as effectively being most of the way there to a level D hazmat setup. If you happen to be wearing spash resistant clothing then you are there.