Gray Watson's Blog -- May 2021

Blogging is a useful way for me to record my thoughts and digital travels every so often. Hope you enjoy my digital stream of consciousness.

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May 13, 2021

Fascinating story from Wired about researchers trying to track down where the invalid information that Coronavirus would only survice on water droplets that were 5-microns or larger orginated -- a micro is one millionth of a meter. This sounds unimportant until you realize that an "airborne" virus survives in smaller than 5-micron drops and if you versus one that social distancing is very effective against. This doesn't mean that social distancing worthless but it does mean that we need to be much better at mast wearing. It shows you how hard science is.
The distinction between droplet and airborne transmission has enormous consequences. To combat droplets, a leading precaution is to wash hands frequently with soap and water. To fight infectious aerosols, the air itself is the enemy. In hospitals, that means expensive isolation wards and N95 masks for all medical staff.