scholarly journals Face coverings and respiratory tract droplet dispersion

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 201663
Author(s):  
Lucia Bandiera ◽  
Geethanjali Pavar ◽  
Gabriele Pisetta ◽  
Shuji Otomo ◽  
Enzo Mangano ◽  
...  

Respiratory droplets are the primary transmission route for SARS-CoV-2, a principle which drives social distancing guidelines. Evidence suggests that virus transmission can be reduced by face coverings, but robust evidence for how mask usage might affect safe distancing parameters is lacking. Accordingly, we set out to quantify the effects of face coverings on respiratory tract droplet deposition. We tested an anatomically realistic manikin head which ejected fluorescent droplets of water and human volunteers, in speaking and coughing conditions without a face covering, or with a surgical mask or a single-layer cotton face covering. We quantified the number of droplets in flight using laser sheet illumination and UV-light for those that had landed at table height at up to 2 m. For human volunteers, expiratory droplets were caught on a microscope slide 5 cm from the mouth. Whether manikin or human, wearing a face covering decreased the number of projected droplets by less than 1000-fold. We estimated that a person standing 2 m from someone coughing without a mask is exposed to over 10 000 times more respiratory droplets than from someone standing 0.5 m away wearing a basic single-layer mask. Our results indicate that face coverings show consistent efficacy at blocking respiratory droplets and thus provide an opportunity to moderate social distancing policies. However, the methodologies we employed mostly detect larger (non-aerosol) sized droplets. If the aerosol transmission is later determined to be a significant driver of infection, then our findings may overestimate the effectiveness of face coverings.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Bandiera ◽  
Geethanjali Pavar ◽  
Gabriele Pisetta ◽  
Shuji Otomo ◽  
Enzo Mangano ◽  
...  

Respiratory droplets are the primary transmission route for SARS-CoV-2. Evidence suggests that virus transmission can be reduced by face coverings, but robust evidence for how mask usage might affect safe distancing parameters is lacking. Accordingly, we investigate the effectiveness of surgical masks and single-layer cotton masks on mitigating dispersion of large respiratory droplets (i.e. non aerosol). We tested a manikin ejecting fluorescent droplets and human volunteers in speaking and coughing conditions. We quantified the number of droplets in flight using laser sheet illumination and UV-light for those that had landed at table height at up to 2m. For human volunteers, expiratory droplets were caught on a microscope slide 5cm from the mouth. Whether manikin or human, wearing a face covering decreased the number of projected droplets by >1000-fold. We estimated that a person standing 2m from someone coughing without a mask is exposed to over 1000 times more respiratory droplets than from someone standing 5 cm away wearing a basic single layer mask. Our results indicate that face coverings show consistent efficacy at blocking respiratory droplets. If aerosol transmission is later determined to be a significant driver of infection, then our findings may overestimate the effectiveness of face coverings.


AIP Advances ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 045205
Author(s):  
Venugopal Arumuru ◽  
Jangyadatta Pasa ◽  
Sidhartha Sankar Samantaray ◽  
Vaibhavsingh Surendrasingh Varma

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Catching ◽  
Sara Capponi ◽  
Ming Te Yeh ◽  
Simone Bianco ◽  
Raul Andino

AbstractCOVID-19’s high virus transmission rates have caused a pandemic that is exacerbated by the high rates of asymptomatic and presymptomatic infections. These factors suggest that face masks and social distance could be paramount in containing the pandemic. We examined the efficacy of each measure and the combination of both measures using an agent-based model within a closed space that approximated real-life interactions. By explicitly considering different fractions of asymptomatic individuals, as well as a realistic hypothesis of face masks protection during inhaling and exhaling, our simulations demonstrate that a synergistic use of face masks and social distancing is the most effective intervention to curb the infection spread. To control the pandemic, our models suggest that high adherence to social distance is necessary to curb the spread of the disease, and that wearing face masks provides optimal protection even if only a small portion of the population comply with social distance. Finally, the face mask effectiveness in curbing the viral spread is not reduced if a large fraction of population is asymptomatic. Our findings have important implications for policies that dictate the reopening of social gatherings.


2021 ◽  
pp. 174462952110096
Author(s):  
Whitley J Stone ◽  
Kayla M Baker

The novel coronavirus may impact exercise habits of those with intellectual disabilities. Due to the mandated discontinuation of face-to-face research, investigators must adapt projects to protect all involved while collecting objective physical activity metrics. This brief report outlines a modification process of research methods to adhere to social distancing mandates present during COVID-19. Actions taken included electronic consent and assent forms, an electronic survey, and mailing an accelerometer with included instructions. The amended research methods were implemented without risk for virus transmission or undue burden on the research team, participant, or caregiver. Recruitment was likely impacted by the coronavirus-mediated quarantine, plausibly resulting in bias. Objective physical activity data collection can be sufficiently modified to protect those with intellectual disabilities and investigators. Future research designs may require greater participant incentives and the creation of in-home participation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed S. Elgazzar

Abstract The novel COVID-19 pandemic is a current, major global health threat. Up till now, there is no fully approved pharmacological treatment or a vaccine. Also, its origin is still mysterious. In this study, simple mathematical models were employed to examine the dynamics of transmission and control of COVID-19 taking into consideration social distancing and community awareness. Both situations of homogeneous and nonhomogeneous population were considered. Based on the calculations, a sufficient degree of social distancing based on its reproductive ratio is found to be effective in controlling COVID-19, even in the absence of a vaccine. With a vaccine, social distancing minimizes the sufficient vaccination rate to control the disease. Community awareness also has a great impact in eradicating the virus transmission. The model is simulated on small-world networks and the role of social distancing in controlling the infection is explained.


Author(s):  
Rory England ◽  
Nicholas Peirce ◽  
Joseph Torresi ◽  
Sean Mitchell ◽  
Andy Harland

AbstractA review of literature on the role of fomites in transmission of coronaviruses informed the development of a framework which was used to qualitatively analyse a cricket case study, where equipment is shared and passed around, and identify potential mitigation strategies. A range of pathways were identified that might in theory allow coronavirus transmission from an infected person to a non-infected person via communal or personal equipment fomites or both. Eighteen percent of potential fomite based interactions were found to be non-essential to play including all contact with another persons equipment. Six opportunities to interrupt the transmission pathway were identified, including the recommendation to screen participants for symptoms prior to play. Social distancing between participants and avoiding unnecessary surface contact provides two opportunities; firstly to avoid equipment exposure to infected respiratory droplets and secondly to avoid uninfected participants touching potential fomites. Hand sanitisation and equipment sanitisation provide two further opportunities by directly inactivating coronavirus. Preventing players from touching their mucosal membranes with their hands represents the sixth potential interruption. Whilst potential fomite transmission pathways were identified, evidence suggests that viral load will be substantially reduced during surface transfer. Mitigation strategies could further reduce potential fomites, suggesting that by comparison, direct airborne transmission presents the greater risk in cricket.


Author(s):  
Minoli Ediriweera ◽  

Social distancing - like many other precautions taken during a global pandemic, it is easier said than done. COVID-19 is spread by respiratory droplets through coughing or sneezing (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020, para. 1). These droplets can land on someone nearby, so experts recommend practicing social distancing or self-isolation techniques to prevent contracting coronavirus. These methods include staying six feet apart from other individuals and staying home from work, school, and other large gatherings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (19) ◽  
pp. 10636
Author(s):  
Nadine Krüger ◽  
Cheila Rocha ◽  
Sandra Runft ◽  
Johannes Krüger ◽  
Iris Färber ◽  
...  

Natural or experimental infection of domestic cats and virus transmission from humans to captive predatory cats suggest that felids are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, it is unclear which cells and compartments of the respiratory tract are infected. To address this question, primary cell cultures derived from the nose, trachea, and lungs of cat and lion were inoculated with SARS-CoV-2. Strong viral replication was observed for nasal mucosa explants and tracheal air–liquid interface cultures, whereas replication in lung slices was less efficient. Infection was mainly restricted to epithelial cells and did not cause major pathological changes. Detection of high ACE2 levels in the nose and trachea but not lung further suggests that susceptibility of feline tissues to SARS-CoV-2 correlates with ACE2 expression. Collectively, this study demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 can efficiently replicate in the feline upper respiratory tract ex vivo and thus highlights the risk of SARS-CoV-2 spillover from humans to felids.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8724
Author(s):  
Paul Schwarzbach ◽  
Julia Engelbrecht ◽  
Albrecht Michler ◽  
Michael Schultz ◽  
Oliver Michler

With the rise of COVID-19, the sustainability of air transport is a major challenge, as there is limited space in aircraft cabins, resulting in a higher risk of virus transmission. In order to detect possible chains of infection, technology-supported apps are used for social distancing. These COVID-19 applications are based on the display of the received signal strength for distance estimation, which is strongly influenced by the spreading environment due to the signal multipath reception. Therefore, we evaluate the applicability of technology-based social distancing methods in an aircraft cabin environment using a radio propagation simulation based on a three-dimensional aircraft model. We demonstrate the susceptibility to errors of the conventional COVID-19 distance estimation, which can lead to large errors in the determination of distances and to the impracticability of traditional tracing approaches during passenger boarding/deboarding. In the context of the future connected cabin, a robust distance measurement must be implemented to ensure safe travel. Finally, our results can be transferred to similar fields of application, e.g., trains or public transport.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (02) ◽  
pp. 81-86
Author(s):  
Siva Fauziah ◽  
Dede Komarudin ◽  
Citra Dewi

Abstract Based on BPOM findings in 2016 there is still the presence of Rhodamin B which is used as one of the dyes in cosmetics. It causes irritation to the skin, respiratory tract and is carcinogenic. The purpose of this study to conduct an examination and determination of Rhodamin B in eye shadow in the Kalideres traditional market. The sample used for the research is eye shadow that is bought from cosmetics stores and cosmetic kiosks, which circulated in the Kalideres traditional market. The sample consist of five different brands based on three criteria is eye shadow which does not include the ingredients used, the writing in the packaging used a language other than Indonesia and does not have a permit number from BPOM. This research was conducted to identify the presence of Rhodamin B in eye shadow with KLT method ( thin layer chromatography), the eluent used is N-butanol, etil asetat, amoniac 25% (10 : 4 : 5) then detected with UV light 254 nm and determination of the content using UV-Vis spectrophotometry method at maximum wavelength 553 nm using as blank is methanol. The resulted was presence of Rhodamine B in sample code A and sample code D with the average value of Rhodamine B levels in the sample examined, the sample code A is 1,3063 mg/g and sample code D is 1,2564 mg/g.   Keywords: Rhodamine B, Eye Shadow, KLT, Uv-Vis Spectrophotometry  


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document