Another great article highlighting the need for ventilation guidelines for buildings and potentially homes and also shows how mask help and supports the general thesis that spread is not a function of associations with random strangers in a location – https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-10-28/a-room-a-bar-and-a-class-how-the-coronavirus-is-spread-through-the-air.html?ssm=TW_CC

“Some 31% of coronavirus outbreaks recorded in Spain are caused by this kind of gathering, mainly between family and friends.”

“the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (ECDC) observation that not a single case of fomite-caused Covid-19 has been observed”

– over use of chlorine wipes and hand sanitizers likely in terms of trying to prevent Covid-19

Hang out with people who are silent….or strangers given likely not going to have a long winded conversation nor are they likely going to sing for you.

“In the spring, health authorities failed to focus on aerosol transmission, but recent scientific publications have forced the World Health Organization (WHO) and the CDC to acknowledge it. An article in the prestigious Science magazine found that there is “overwhelming evidence” that airborne transmission is a “major transmission route” for the coronavirus, and the CDC now notes that, “under certain conditions, they seem to have infected others who were more than six feet [two meters] away. These transmissions occurred within enclosed spaces that had inadequate ventilation. Sometimes the infected person was breathing heavily, for example, while singing or exercising.””

The data was clear it was airborne – I am no expert but the studies and the data has been very clear since Apr/May.

“If the premises are ventilated, which can be done with a good air conditioning unit, and the time spent in the bar is shortened, there is only the risk that one person will be infected.”

“Schools only account for 6% of coronavirus outbreaks recorded by Spanish health authorities. The dynamics of transmission via aerosols in the classroom change completely depending on whether the infected person – or patient zero – is a student or a teacher. Teachers talk far more than students and raise their voices to be heard, which multiplies the expulsion of potentially contagious particles. In comparison, an infected student will only speak occasionally. According to the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) guidelines, the Spanish government has recommended that classrooms be ventilated – even though this may cause discomfort in the colder months – or for ventilation units to be used.”

“If the room is ventilated during the lesson, either with fresh air or mechanically, and the class is stopped after an hour in order to completely refresh the air, the risk drops dramatically.”

Given the continued discussion on ventilation it is clear the US govt and local official should come out with guidelines and rating system for every building/store. There should be a jobs program for ventilation calculators to come and give each facility a numerical rating showing the amount of fresh air per hour. There are ways that do not cost significant amounts of money to increase fresh air into facility. Expect to pay higher utility bill but compared to closing the store or not getting any customers it is nothing. Each commercial hvac system has an economizer that can be adjusted and perhaps some comfort can be sacrificed to gain a reduction of viral load.

Another under 1K death reporting US 994 – crazy level of confirmations 78981

TX leads in death and confirmation

Interesting to see Rhode Island jumping up in death and confirmation. Leading county in death at 21 2nd place in confirmation – with Cook IL toping at 2276

Given the big jump in confirmation below is the county view bar graph noting the county for those above 300 confirm– given everything is being seen through political lens – I put the % of county voting for Democrat in 2016 on top of the bar. Hopefully local officials get accountability for the covid spread as it really is localized and a federal policy can only do so much.

Good news Ireland confirmations coming down….not so good news no one else