Coronavirus detected on particles of air pollution

[WhiskeyWulf]

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/24/coronavirus-detected-particles-air-pollution

Coronavirus has been detected on particles of air pollution by scientists investigating whether this could enable it to be carried over longer distances and increase the number of people infected.

The work is preliminary and it is not yet known if the virus remains viable on pollution particles and in sufficient quantity to cause disease.

The Italian scientists used standard techniques to collect outdoor air pollution samples at one urban and one industrial site in Bergamo province and identified a gene highly specific to Covid-19 in multiple samples. The detection was confirmed by blind testing at an independent laboratory.

(more at link)

[Dem2]

1. Interesting

From what I read, it's likely a person would have to inhale perhaps hundreds of this viruses particles to get infected, assuming they can stay viable whilst floating in the air. I suppose if it's moist and not sunny some might still be viable...

[KPN]

3. One can inhale thousands of particles in a single breath. How many breaths do you think it

would take to inhale hundreds of particles with the virus attached?

[Dem2]

4. I have no idea what the density of viable particles would be in the air

Assuming many can survive attached to "pollution".

Any ideas?

[KPN]

6. Yeah. Avoid smoke and pollution. Re: smoke -- Avoid people especially if

in a high covid-19 density situation. The risk isn’t worth the benefits from taking it. Of course, at a societal level, that is only true/would likely only happen if two things: all debt is suspended, and all people have an income sufficient to buy food and other necessities. Will we take that road?

As for pollution, stay indoors, wear an N-99 mask (better than N95).

In reality though, given our “system”, we’re pretty much screwed.

[KPN]

2. Keep in mind cigarette smoke when you have to bo out and about -- same thing.

[EndlessWire]

5. Hurricane season should be interesting n/t