Thread by @kprather88, Answering a question I (and others) have received 1000's of times--how do [...]

Answering a question I (and others) have received 1000's of times--how do I protect myself indoors?
The guidance on @CDCgov web site is not clear. In fact, in some places it still states INCORRECTLY that outside of healthcare settings, airborne protection is not needed. (1/8)

Here are the key steps in a nutshell-

1. Ventilation-keep windows and doors open as much as possible. Check "fresh air" using simple CO2 monitor. Takes away guessing game. I take them everywhere I go indoors...the level needs to be <800 ppm or so.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240021280
(2/8)

Roadmap to improve and ensure good indoor ventilation in the context of COVID-19

This roadmap aims to define the key questions users should consider to assess indoor ventilation and the major steps needed to reach recommended ventilation levels or simply improve indoor air...

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240021280

2. Filtration is also important--MERV13 in HVAC and standalone HEPA systems (no bells or whistles)--easily remove infectious aerosols. In buildings where you can't upgrade HVAC easily, these standalones are important and serve as another extra layer of protection.
(3/8)

3. For workers who are indoors with many people for long times, they should wear respirators (N95s). This is the main protection that one can control. People should ideally wear masks at all times indoors in public places--regardless of distance.
(4/8)

4. Adjust HVAC to bring in as much fresh air as possible--try to avoid re-circulating air. #COVIDIsAirborne so it is important to clean indoor air via filtration and ventilation.
(5/8)

These are the simple things one can do to improve indoor air quality. I suggest people use simple CO2 monitors (i.e. ARANET4) to check the levels in buildings you work in (where you spend lots of time). Loan them out to others to check as many locations as possible.
(6/8)

ASHRAE also has LOTS of info on ventilation--and a recent clear statement that this virus is AIRBORNE.

https://www.ashrae.org/about/news/2021/ashrae-epidemic-task-force-releases-updated-airborne-transmission-guidance
(7/8)

Hope this helps-there is also a more detailed FAQ google document with lots of suggestions to protect yourself that a bunch of us put together. Also see @CorsIAQ @ShellyMBoulder @jljcolorado @linseymarr @j_g_allen and many others.
(8/8) https://tinyurl.com/FAQ-aerosols

FAQs on Protecting Yourself from Aerosol Transmission

FAQs on Protecting Yourself from COVID-19 Aerosol Transmission Shortcut to this page: https://tinyurl.com/FAQ-aerosols Version: 1.87, 9-Dec-2020 Click here to jump over the scientific & historical...

https://tinyurl.com/FAQ-aerosols

And if others think of key things to add that I missed, please feel free -- this was just a quick brain dump.