Is Airborne transmission an important and mitigable aspect of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen"> YES - here& #39;s a https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🧵" title="Thread" aria-label="Emoji: Thread"> summarizing the evidence from @kprather88& #39;s presentation.

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https://events.ucalgary.ca/obrien/#!view/event/event_id/306929">https://events.ucalgary.ca/obrien/...
As Dr. Conly reminded us on Friday, when considering Airborne Transmission, "it& #39;s very important to take into consideration the very very complex environment".... "direction of airflow, the number of air changes, temperature, relative humidity... its veeery very complex"

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This is actually NOT "complex" for Aerosol scientists, mechanical engineers, building scientists, and other experts in fluid mechanics. Due to the Pandemic, these experts have diverted their brainpower to this problem. See summary of studies below.

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https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen">Groves says a presymptomatic person can cause a superspreader. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen">Wilson says people generate more aerosols then medical procedures
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen"> Lednicky says the virus is viable in air.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen"> Chen says there& #39;s a higher chance of inhaling the virus than a droplet hitting you in the face.
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Chen used a model, reliant on the "basic science" of fluid mechanics, to analyze the probability of Aerosol transmission. Other indoor superspreader investigations modeled air flow and used video recordings to rule out close contact. They even infected some ferrets via air.

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Here& #39;s a summary of the "why we can& #39;t call it Airborne" excuses raised by the WHO in July 2020, and just some of the avalanche of studies that have been published since.

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The nosocomial infections is worth digging into further.

Many ID docs are now willing to admit that "Situational Airborne" is possible and that the virus is "inhaled".

But they will not budge on the IPAC guidelines to use Droplet Precautions (ie. surgical masks).

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They say, "But surgical masks have worked in MY hospital!"

Dr. Conly himself asserts that... but it is misleading.. see detailed thread here:

https://twitter.com/CPita3/status/1381001461002350599?s=19

8/">https://twitter.com/CPita3/st...
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts"> Hospitals have excellent ventilation, many new ones have 12 Air Changes per Hour! That& #39;s like being outside!

Just because surgical masks are working in your prestine conditions, doesn& #39;t mean they will work in a poorly ventilated LTC or school or factory!

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And we have seen a very similar pattern in Quebec! Those with access to respirators and/or better ventilation systems are better off.

12/ https://twitter.com/lisa_iannattone/status/1381042780521254915?s=19">https://twitter.com/lisa_iann...
We don& #39;t need an RCT to know respirators are the precautionary/smart choice!

Occupational Hygienists study this! Other industries use them regularly to protect against inhaled hazardous aerosols! Think mining, construction, pesticides, etc.

@brosseau_lisa @kate_cole_

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And best of all..

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏" title="Applaus-Zeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Applaus-Zeichen"> WE HAVE AN ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF RESPIRATORS IN CANADA NOW!! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏" title="Applaus-Zeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Applaus-Zeichen">

There is literally no excuse.

Get respirators to frontline workers, who are working indoors with other people.. and do it TOMORROW.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mapcgmkIzq4lva2xEIfNp7hgUlCyrpRWmUsF4dB62Z8/edit?usp=drivesdk

14/">https://docs.google.com/document/...
For those who are still unconvinced, see attached for the full list of references used by @kprather88.

Read the papers. If you have a rebuttal, let& #39;s engage on the merits.

WHY isn& #39;t it prudent to give all frontline workers respirators? The answer isn& #39;t acne.. what is it??

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