Hundreds of scientists say coronavirus is airborne; ask WHO to revise recommendations – NYT

Hundreds of scientists say there is evidence that the novel coronavirus in smaller particles in the air can infect people and are calling for the World Health Organization to revise recommendations, the New York Times reported on Saturday.
The WHO has said the coronavirus disease spreads primarily from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, which are expelled when a person with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes or speaks.
In an open letter to the agency, which the researchers plan to publish in a scientific journal next week, 239 scientists in 32 countries outlined the evidence showing smaller particles can infect people, the NYT said nyti.ms/2VIxp67.
“We are aware of the article and are reviewing its contents with our technical experts,” WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said in an email reply to a Reuters request for comment.
Whether carried by large droplets that zoom through the air after a sneeze, or by much smaller exhaled droplets that may glide the length of a room, the coronavirus is borne through air and can infect people when inhaled, the scientists said, according to the NYT.
However, the health agency said the evidence for the virus being airborne was not convincing, according to the NYT.
“Especially in the last couple of months, we have been stating several times that we consider airborne transmission as possible but certainly not supported by solid or even clear evidence,” Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi, the WHO’s technical lead of infection prevention and control, was quoted as saying by the NYT.
Source: Reuters
Trending World
Obama says US faces 'political crisis' after killing of Charlie Kirk
01:13Charlie Kirk suspect confessed in hidden note to roommate, prosecutors allege
14:29Thousands of Palestinians flee as Israeli troops push into Gaza City
14:22Politicians get rich while we suffer - so I helped bring down our government in 48 hours
01:18Trump says he'll award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom
17:22Investigators suspect Charlie Kirk assassin was of 'college age'
17:18NASA bans Chinese nationals from working on its space programmes
22:23Zambia presses China for more compensation over toxic mine spill
16:36Trump has 'heated phone call' with Netanyahu over strike targeting Hamas in Qatar
02:21Hong Kong lawmakers say no to more rights for same-sex couples
02:13