Risk of COVID-19 Transmission
Inside vs. Outside: Explained With stay-at-home orders loosening across
the country, it’s important to remember COVID-19
transmission can and will still happen. Here are a few things you should know
about transmission risks inside vs. outside
and how you can continue to stay safe. According to professor William Schaffner
of Vanderbilt University, enclosed spaces that
lack proper ventilation pose the most risk. William Schaffner,
via Huffpost In comparison, larger spaces
like supermarkets are safer,
but poor ventilation and air
conditioning can still pose a risk. “Heavy” respiratory droplets are able to float
in the air, meaning any sort of system that moves air
currents can potentially circulate the virus. Experts say the best precaution against
this is to open windows and make sure
your system’s filtration is in top shape. Maintaining a proper distance of 6 to 8 feet
is also important, as the closer you are to someone,
the more likely transmission is. The risk of transmission is the lowest
outdoors, as it offers more space for
separation and a more natural airflow. A study published in
‘The Journal of Infectious Diseases’
also shows that ultraviolet rays
may help prevent transmission. The study found that 90 percent of coronavirus
particles were deactivated by UV rays from
sunlight within 10 minutes of exposure. Still, it’s important to avoid group
activities when outdoors and continue
practicing proper social distancing.