Coronavirus and airborne transmission: scientists warn Australia to be on guard

Although the science is not yet settled, researchers say government should be acting on ventilation and other measures now

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A collective of Australian researchers across scientific disciplines will call on the government to introduce minimum requirements for building ventilation and to consider caps on the numbers of people sharing indoor spaces as researchers question role of airborne transmission in the Covid-19 pandemic.

Coughing, sneezing and wheezing generates particles of various sizes. Droplets are defined as large, wet particles generally greater than 20 micrometers in size that fall close to the person. These contaminate surface areas or people nearby. Aerosol spread, also known as airborne spread, comes from dried particles - referred to as droplet nuclei" - that can disperse over long distances and remain suspended in the air.