On Thursday, the World Health Organization has issued new guidelines on the transmission of the novel coronavirus because of reports of its airborne spread.
Just a couple of days ago, some of the scientific briefs have expressed the spread and transmission of the virus through air.
Though some more authentications are awaited by the WHO related to the airborne spread of COVID-19, as of now the health organization has decided to set up an independent body to evaluate the situation of coronavirus response across the world. This panel will consist of former Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark and former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. WHO Member States Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that
Prime Minister Clark and President Sirleaf were selected through a process of broad consultation with Member States and world experts. I cannot imagine two more strong-minded, independent leaders to help guide us through this critical learning process.
Till date, Coronavirus was spreading through the droplets of the affected person. Basing on that, WHO has issued guidelines to the world countries to maintain 1-3 feet distance between person to person and usage of a nasal mask, etc. But the news of airborne transmission has shocked the entire world.
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The main difference between droplets and airborne is that the –
- Airborne material can travel up to 6-9 feet and droplets settle on some surfaces. The bacteria or virus can remain viable on surfaces for a few minutes to a few hours. If we touch such a surface and then touch our face/nose/mouth then there are chances that it may enter our respiratory system
- Droplets infection means if anybody sneezes or coughs in front of others without any protection i.e., without covering nose and mouth with any the material then it can enter the respiratory system directly through the small drops.
However, the pandemic is becoming a major and dangerous concern day by day for the world to tackle. The upcoming days seem to be more painful with the virus taking a new shape of spreading and killing people.