Sneezing, like coughing, facilitates the transmission of pathogenic microbes, including the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, between people. Scientists warn that every sneeze is like a “mini atomic bomb explosion”. How far do the droplets released when sneezing travel? Is keeping a distance of two meters enough?
- When you sneeze, a “cloud” is created in which droplets of secretions are suspended. Scientists have checked how far these droplets can travel
- When sneezing and coughing, it is better to tilt your head down. This can prevent the droplets of secretion from traveling longer distances
- You can find more up-to-date information on the TvoiLokony home page
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is transmitted by airborne droplets, when coughing, sneezing and speaking aloud. Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have already measured how far saliva droplets can reach when coughing. It turns out to be a distance of up to three meters. A simple test showed that keeping the standard two-meter distance between people may not be enough in the prevention of coronavirus infections.
It turns out that it is not only during coughing that droplets of secretion can “travel” long distances. It is the same when sneezing. Researchers at Loughborough University in the UK investigated what happens to the droplets of secretion when sneezing. ‘In most of our analyzes, the predictions made by our model suggest that the largest droplets extend within two meters of the source before they hit the ground,’ explained co-author of the study, mathematician Emiliano Renzi.
Renzi and a colleague modeled the dynamics of clouds containing secretions emanating from coughing and sneezing. Scientists have found that the cloud emitted when sneezing adopts the same kind of dynamics seen after nuclear explosions – in the form of a mushroom.
This suggests that the tiny, potentially infectious droplets (containing SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus particles) can travel long distances when coughing and sneezing.
“In some cases, droplets are projected over 3,5 meters by a floating vortex that acts like a mini atomic bomb,” adds Renzi.
In some cases, the smallest droplets tested can rise to a height of more than 6 meters. During the simulation, they were suspended in the air all the time.
See also: How should you sneeze and cough? Contrary to appearances, not everyone can
Tilt your head down when coughing and sneezing
The researchers’ research also suggests that the initial direction of the cloud formed by coughing and sneezing is a major factor in determining its potential spread. What does it mean? If we tilt our head down when coughing or sneezing, we can limit the movement of the drops.
The researchers admit that their model is based on a number of mathematical assumptions, and indicate that we do not yet know enough about the potential infectivity of the smallest droplets excreted by humans. Therefore, continuing the research is absolutely justified.
Renzi also adds that guidelines suggesting a two-meter distance may not be sufficient to prevent direct transmission by the excreted droplets. In addition to keeping our distance and wearing masks, we also need to learn to sneeze and cough with our head down.
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