1/8 My thoughts & suggestions for moving forward (8 tweet thread)

I've been deeply frustrated by leading health authorities in US dismissing the aerosol transmission route, w/o scientific basis, from day 1. Once done it's difficult to reverse course. (Read on ...)

2/8 Other nations were not so fast to dismiss any transmission route & have benefited from not doing so. Even as high-quality research teams in US showed viability of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols for times that far exceed typical "age of air" in buildings, no acknowledgement. (more)

3/8 Empirical evidence from outbreak events has mounted, with continued dismissal as "one-off events." Far too late in the process, after the public had let their guard down for 2 mos, there has been slow-growing (implied) acknowledgement: "wear a mask", "ventilate."
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4/8 What should have happened from the start was no dismissal of any transmission route on day 1. Rapid research on transmission routes before dismissing any. Save N95 masks for health care workers (yes!!), OF COURSE!

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5/8 But "wear a mask" (for "some" protection) & "ventilate" should have been mentioned EVERY TIME "wash your hands" & "social distance" from day 1. And the magic 6 ft. "shield" (only partially protective), should have been greater (precautionary principle) (more ...)

6/8 Building & aerosol scientists, of which there is ample supply of outstanding researchers in North America, should have been consulted on additional steps the public can take to reduce exposure to aerosols containing SARS-CoV-2 indoors.

So, what can we do now? (Read on ...)

7/8 It is not too late to change course, particularly if there is a significant resurgence in the fall. Follow @linseymarr @j_g_allen @ProfCharlesHaas @Don_Milton @ShellyMBoulder & others. Gr8 info sources. And next in thread is VERY important! (Read on ...)

8/8 If you want to learn more about reducing exposure in buildings, register for free webinar by Profs Jeffrey Siegel @IAQinGWN (U Toronto) & @ShellyMBoulder (CU Boulder) this Tuesday (4/28). This is a gr8 chance to become educated on this issue.

https://mms.isiaq.org/members/evr/reg_event.php?orgcode=ISIA&evid=23675929