‘Airborne’ Does Not Mean The Air Is Contaminated : Dr. Faheem Younus On Airborne COVID-19

He added that provided 6ft distance is maintained between two or more individuals, parks and beaches remain the safest places to enjoy without a mask.

After an elaborate report published in The Lancet, a highly credible medical journal listed ten reasons why COVID-19 can be airborne and the need to update safety protocols, Chief of Infectious Diseases at the University of Maryland, Dr. Faheem Younus took to Twitter to offer some suggestions based on the report. The study in the peer-reviewed journal seems to have created a lot of panic and confusion amongst the masses, leading to several rumors and questions on social media. 

He suggested buying “two N95 or KN95 masks (to deal with the COVID air pathogen). Use one today; leave the other in a PAPER bag for tomorrow. Keep alternating every 24 hours. Reuse for weeks if they aren’t damaged.” He also made an appeal to ditch cloth masks 

Lancet study:
“Airborne” does NOT mean outside air is contaminated. It means the virus may remain suspended in the air — typically in indoor settings —and pose a risk

Our parks and beaches are still the safest places to enjoy without a mask (provided 6 ft distance)

— Faheem Younus, MD (@FaheemYounus) April 17, 2021

Dr. Younus, one of the widely globally followed experts since the start of the pandemic, also put to rest rumors of the air being contaminated. Clarifying that, he said “Airborne does NOT mean outside air is contaminated. It means the virus may remain suspended in the air — typically in indoor settings —and pose a risk”

Also Read : With 2,61,500 Fresh COVID-19 Infections, India Sees Biggest-Ever Daily Spike

He further added that provided 6ft distance is maintained between two or more individuals, parks and beaches remain the safest places to enjoy without a mask.

Meanwhile, Lancet COVID-19 Commission’s India Task Force has published a detailed report recommending some measures to deal with the pandemic more effectively. Some of the suggestions include prioritizing teachers for vaccinations and a big no-no to blanket lockdowns.