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ProfessorGAC

(64,852 posts)
17. That Wasn't The Topic
Fri Jan 22, 2021, 05:42 PM
Jan 2021

I don't disagree, but the discussion was about the distancing needs due to distance of expulsions.
That said, despite their miniscule dimensions, viruses still adhere to gravity.
They all ultimately fall to the ground.
And, those chemical structures are fairly friable, because some protein bonds are very low energy.
Relatively modest frictional forces can actually break molecular bonds. That's not uncommon in very high molecular weight species.
Even polymers are friable, which is why most of them need to be crosslinked. Crosslinking increase tensile strength and elasticity, so the forces is absorbed between the chains, rather than the chain fracturing.
Now, that's not the case for things like polyethylene, because the monomer is so small that the bond energy doesn't get "diluted" along the chain.
But, proteins can be pretty fragile.
All that, to say that viruses on the ground are a tiny concern compared to all the other transmission routes.

So masks aren't working? SheltieLover Jan 2021 #1
Maybe it survives longer on surfaces. Hugin Jan 2021 #2
Maybe SheltieLover Jan 2021 #5
I was just thinking a month ago that there appalachiablue Jan 2021 #19
Yes mask are working at SLOWING spread not eliminating it uponit7771 Jan 2021 #3
Ty SheltieLover Jan 2021 #6
N95 masks in combo with face shields DO work FakeNoose Jan 2021 #4
Hoping Joe will get N-95s made with DPA! SheltieLover Jan 2021 #8
I was able to get them at Staples office supply. GulfCoast66 Jan 2021 #18
That Was Maskless ProfessorGAC Jan 2021 #7
Ty, Professor! SheltieLover Jan 2021 #9
I live in Tennessee, too..... BlueDawn Jan 2021 #12
Surreal, isn't it? SheltieLover Jan 2021 #13
It really is surreal. BlueDawn Jan 2021 #16
Which area of state are you in if I may ask? SheltieLover Jan 2021 #25
I am on the opposite side of the state, near Knoxville. BlueDawn Jan 2021 #26
Here in GA too. Of course I live in the 14th Cong. Dist.--that of Machine Gun Marjorie japple Jan 2021 #22
With the previous variant correct? FreeState Jan 2021 #10
It Wasn't About The Virus ProfessorGAC Jan 2021 #11
What *is* specific to viruses is how long they stay viable in droplets. Girard442 Jan 2021 #14
That Wasn't The Topic ProfessorGAC Jan 2021 #17
Now you have me thinking about the aerodynamics of a coronavirus. Hermit-The-Prog Jan 2021 #20
Definitely Yes ProfessorGAC Jan 2021 #23
Fuck.. denbot Jan 2021 #15
Just waiting for the bombshell that current vaccines are less effective against new variants Baclava Jan 2021 #21
In the U.K. itself, daily new cases, 7 day moving average down 30% progree Jan 2021 #24
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Denmark is sequencing all...»Reply #17