A recent study published in The Lancet says that coronavirus might be airborne. The study says, “SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted primarily by the airborne route”. Six experts from the UK, the US and Canada, who did the research, have now called for the established COVID-19 guidelines to be modified with immediate effect. However, the study does not say what you think it might be. 

After the study was published, many people started to believe that as coronavirus is airborne, the outside air is contaminated and thus, if one steps out of the house, they would contract the deadly disease. However, that is not true. 

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The Chief of Infectious Diseases at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health, Faheem Younus took to Twitter to explain what the study actually says. He said, “Lancet study: Airborne does NOT mean outside air is contaminated. It means the virus may remain suspended in the air – typically in indoor settings – and pose a risk. Our parks and beaches are still the safest places to enjoy without a mask (provided 6 ft distance).”

In another tweet, the infectious disease chief also explained how one can keep themselves safe from coronavirus, and said that the best solution is to use N95 or KN95 masks and not cloth masks. 

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“LANCET STUDY: No worries. We know COVID spreads (droplet to airborne) in a spectrum. Solution: Buy two N95 or KN95 masks. Use one today; leave the other in a PAPER bag for tomorrow. Keep alternating every 24 hours. Reuse for weeks if they aren’t damaged. Ditch cloth masks,” Younus said in a tweet. 

According to The Lancet study, the factors that affect airborne spread of SARS-CoV-2 are “detailed analysis of human behaviour and interactions, as well as room sizes.” “Long-range transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between people in adjacent rooms but never in each other’s presence has been documented in quarantine hotels,” the study says.