Filenews 20 September 2021
The mask has been transformed for a very long time into an integral part of our lives. The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted aerogenously.
According to a recent study by the University of Maryland School of Public Health on the aerogenic transmission of the virus, the Alpha (BRITISH) mutation is responsible for the emission into the atmosphere of 43 or 100 times more viral load than exhaled droplets of carriers of the virus compared to those infected by its original strains. As the researchers of the study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases point out, the measurements relate to the period when this mutation was prevalent.
The study also found that the use of a cloth or surgical mask halved the viral load released on exhalation.
The researchers expressed their concern, given that the findings relate to the pre-onslaught of the Delta (Indian) mutation, which is estimated to be 100% more contagious than the original strain of coronavirus detected in Wuhan and 50% more contagious than Alpha.
"Our research shows that mutations are constantly improving their ability to be transmitted through the air, therefore, better ventilation of spaces and the use of a tight mask combined with vaccination is necessary to stop the transmission of the virus," said Dr. Don Milto, professor of Environmental Health at the School of Medicine.
Another finding was that the amount of virus from suspended microdroplets infected with the mutated Alpha strain was 18 times greater than would be expected from the increased viral load on patients' nasal swabs and saliva.
Finally, the researchers underlined that the ability of the virus to increase the ability of its airborne transmission shows that the end for masks is not yet in sight and that, by wearing them, we are not only protecting ourselves but also the people around us.
