CIDRAP seems to confirm my impression that “6ft distance from people” came from assuming that the only relevant transmission method was distance-of-large-droplets-from-cough/sneeze. Aerosols describe transmission via fine droplets over much larger distances, and are exemplified in Influenza transmission.
This CIDRAP article suggests that SARS-CoV-2 aerosol transmission is at least plausible since it had been demonstrated in MERS.
(Quick side sanity-checks: The SARS virion is 1.2x the size of Influenza’s, the R0 is higher than Influenza’s but over a longer time-period. Aerosol transmission feels plausible to me.)
CIDRAP seems to confirm my impression that “6ft distance from people” came from assuming that the only relevant transmission method was distance-of-large-droplets-from-cough/sneeze. Aerosols describe transmission via fine droplets over much larger distances, and are exemplified in Influenza transmission.
This CIDRAP article suggests that SARS-CoV-2 aerosol transmission is at least plausible since it had been demonstrated in MERS.
More recently, this aerosol and surface stability preprint says the SARS-CoV-2 virions remained viable as an aerosol for 3 hours.
(Quick side sanity-checks: The SARS virion is 1.2x the size of Influenza’s, the R0 is higher than Influenza’s but over a longer time-period. Aerosol transmission feels plausible to me.)