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Dennis Donovan

(18,770 posts)
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 07:17 PM Mar 2020

Is 6 feet far enough? Study suggests coronavirus can leap the social distancing gap (try 27 ft)

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavirus/article241664666.html

BY BROOKE WOLFORD
MARCH 31, 2020 06:58 PM, UPDATED 18 MINUTES AGO

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend people stand six feet away from one another to avoid spreading the coronavirus.

But research suggests that is not nearly enough distance to keep yourself safe from the coronavirus.

Social distancing measures encourage people to either stay home or, in cases when you need to go out in public, keep a safe distance, according to CDC guidelines. But research suggests that safe distance is actually 27 feet, USA Today reported.

Research on the dynamics of coughs and sneezes found these “exhalations cause gaseous clouds,” that have the ability to travel up to 27 feet, Dr. Lydia Bourouriba, an associate professor at MIT, told USA Today.

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Is 6 feet far enough? Study suggests coronavirus can leap the social distancing gap (try 27 ft) (Original Post) Dennis Donovan Mar 2020 OP
My recommendation is Newest Reality Mar 2020 #1
Fauci is negating that very question now. Totally Tunsie Mar 2020 #2
All those choir members got sick and a couple died from singing out loud. n/t zackymilly Mar 2020 #4
Don't shoot the messenger. Totally Tunsie Mar 2020 #5
He pointed out correctly that these results came in a lab setting HarlanPepper Mar 2020 #7
27 feet without a breeze, gust, etcc? 58Sunliner Mar 2020 #3
K&R SheltieLover Mar 2020 #6
If it's a sneeze the mythbuster boys say it's less mitch96 Mar 2020 #8
Under lab conditions, maybe Azathoth Mar 2020 #9

Newest Reality

(12,712 posts)
1. My recommendation is
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 07:19 PM
Mar 2020

I recommend about 6-miles, just to be certain. I think that would assure the proper and safest distance.

Totally Tunsie

(10,885 posts)
2. Fauci is negating that very question now.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 07:23 PM
Mar 2020

Says it's misleading; that you'd have to rear back and let out a very hearty sneeze, if then.

 

HarlanPepper

(2,042 posts)
7. He pointed out correctly that these results came in a lab setting
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 09:02 PM
Mar 2020

Where those studying are literally creating the most optimal conditions for it to remain airborne. They are not necessarily representative of real life conditions.

58Sunliner

(4,386 posts)
3. 27 feet without a breeze, gust, etcc?
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 07:48 PM
Mar 2020

Let's face it, you could get unlucky. Outside is one thing, inside without air currents or air disturbance is another. I don't go anywhere without a mask. Turbulent air would be safest. But you never know.

mitch96

(13,909 posts)
8. If it's a sneeze the mythbuster boys say it's less
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 10:48 PM
Mar 2020

Kinda gross They also did a thing on flu transmission that was truly alarming...
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Azathoth

(4,609 posts)
9. Under lab conditions, maybe
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 11:23 PM
Mar 2020

But the statistical likelihood of receiving an infectious dose of virus at 27 feet under real world conditions is probably pretty low.

That said, 6 feet is definitely a lower bound on safe distance if we're talking about someone coughing and sneezing without covering their face.

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