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As #covid19 numbers escalate, it is important that people work together to fight this virus. There is growing evidence that this virus has stealthily spread globally by being emitted in aerosols produced simply by people speaking who do not know they are sick. (1/) https://twitter.com/kprather88/status/1335613304270548992
Aerosols float further than 6 ft and can remain airborne and infectious for hours indoors. Acknowledging this virus is transmitted via aerosols is critical so 1)we can put in controls to properly protect everyone, and 2)people will make better choices because they understand (2/)
There has been pushback as the evidence counters long-held views by the medical community. It is highly likely it applies to other respiratory pathogens so updating definitions and guidelines while adding appropriate infrastructure will improve human health now and the future(3/)
The benefits will be massive. We need to unify messaging to effectively make this paradigm shift complete and useful. Scicomm has been poor as different communities have grappled with different terminologies but now that we understand more, it can be improved to save lives. (4/)
Tackling #covid19 is a challenging interdisciplinary problem that requires people to work together and integrate expertise. It requires scientists to talk openly and debate to arrive at the very best solutions. (5/)
It harms the overall Scicomm efforts when any debate or question that challenges older views is called an “attack” or “harassment” and made person. This confuses the public who think scientists don’t agree when in fact, they mostly do. (6/)
It takes time to change views that have been in textbooks for decades. This change is happening as #covid19 has inspired many scientists from across disciplines to work together. The important role of aerosol transmission is now being accepted by many. (7/)
Once aerosol transmission is fully acknowledged, this is very fixable problem! Aerosols can be removed from the air with masks, filtration, and ventilation. Distance is key. Places that acknowledged aerosol transmission early never locked down and had far fewer cases/deaths. (8/)
Let that sink in. Why not learn from other country’s successes? Why are we re-learning what people knew 100 years ago? A big part of it is because some are not taking all of the evidence we have now to update the messaging which is key for protecting everyone especially HCW. (9/)
We can work together to end this. Messaging by @CDCgov is much better...leadership is improving. Now we need help from the government investing in schools and getting masks for everyone. And, we must work together to starve this virus by acknowledging #COVIDisAirborne (10/)
