An important new article from the Atlantic asks: How is it, six months into a respiratory pandemic, that the world has done so little to reduce indoor airborne transmission? Why do we have so little guidance on how to improve the air we breathe?
There are two key strategies to counter virus-laden aerosols indoors: 1) Dilute viral particles’ presence by exchanging air in the room with air from outside (lowering the dose, which lowers the possibility and the severity of infection) or 2) Remove viral particles from the air with effective filters (upgraded filters in HVAC systems or with portable HEPA filters).
We need to think beyond “hygiene theater”—constantly deep cleaning everything—and focus intensely on indoor ventilation…now.
