Is the coronavirus airborne? Experts can’t agree

Is the coronavirus airborne? Experts can’t agree

THE TIDE IS TURNING IN FAVOUR OF FACE MASKS

There has been a clear divide among nations on the public use of face masks — from commonplace in much of Asia, to strongly dissuaded (until recently) in the United States, to obligatory in the Czech Republic. But their use is gaining momentum — and evidence is growing that the benefits of wearing basic face masks in public outweigh the downsides.

• Since early reports revealed that a new coronavirus was spreading rapidly between people, researchers have been trying to pin down whether it can travel through the air. Health officials say the virus is transported only through droplets from coughs or sneezes — either directly, or on objects. But some scientists say there is preliminary evidence of airborne transmission — in which the disease spreads in the much smaller particles from exhaled air. (Nature | 7 min read)
• The United States — which today has a quarter of all the confirmed cases in the world — is set to announce a new policy recommending that people use basic face coverings when in public. (BBC | 5 min read)
• A Nature Medicine paper published today found that surgical face masks could prevent transmission of human coronaviruses and influenza from people with symptoms. The 5-year study (which used this amazing-looking sneeze-detecting machine) is a significant addition to a debate that has struggled to make sense of conflicting evidence. But some worry that masks will create a false sense of security, or deplete supplies for front-line health workers. (The Atlantic | 13 min read)