After September 11, 2001, I joined the crowds who were afraid of flying. I knew it wasn’t rational, that statistically I was much more likely to be the victim of a fatal twist of fate on the 10 hour drive I drove with. my young children to stop over my in-laws in Detroit. In fact, more than 40,000 people died in a twist of fate in the United States in 2001, compared to 525 on publicity flights in 2001, adding in the terrorist attacks of September 11. That is not the case, however. People who were afraid to borrow were much more likely to die on the car trips they took.
At that time fear, concern for terrorism reigned, and we overpersonalized the risk, and we thought we might be next.
Advance until 2020, and I’m afraid to fly again, though for absolutely other reasons. Take me to see my daughter in Seattle a few weeks ago. He was sitting absolutely separated from the others, at the front of the aircraft of business elegance. However, to fight my own fears, I wore my doctor mask, shield and N95 gloves. No one looked at me strangely unless my wife, who was dressed in an undeniable surgical mask and obviously the idea that she was exaggerating.
Two studies published at the beginning of the pandemic in the Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases appear to demonstrate the spread of COVID-19 in aircraft.
But the spread of COVID on aircraft may not happen often. In fact, giant HEPA clearings on aircraft eliminate a giant percentage of particles, transmission can still occur in a small cabin despite proper ventilation, especially if you are flying from one hot spot to another. You can remove the mask in the bathroom or approach an unknown COVID patient by boarding, disembarking, or moving up or down the aisle. Many of my patients are tested at home back to reassure themselves or their employers. I agree with this precaution.
But a new review by the Ministry of Defense is very reassuring: it used a United Airlines Boeing 767 and 777 aircraft as flight labs and launched 54 trillion fluorescent aerosol markers to track viral spread for 12 hours. subject, with 99. 99% of the waste released into the air through a potentially inflamed user who was removed from the air cabin within six minutes of its release.
COVID emerges: COVID disappears. He’s coming back.
In other words, high-speed filtration systems were incredibly effective, far more effective than other indoor ventilation systems discovered in homes or businesses. Certainly, the “subjects” in the examination were masked mannequins that humans simulated the threat of particle transmission in aircraft. , as well as markers to simulate the virus. However, the effects were unforeseen and impressive.
This test will help calm the worry of flying (including mine), although I would propose to fly only when necessary, stay hydrated, dressed in a mask, regularly disinfect hands and face, and travel alone to and from spaces where the virus is present, not booming.
The science of the mask is not yet definitive, however, it is revealed in the look of masked dress, especially nearby.
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If the upward trend continues in some cases, it would possibly become mandatory to further limit travel, not by the aircraft themselves, but by what other people do to propagate COVID when they are going up or down. In retrospect, I wonder if my chances of contracting COVID-19 at John F International Airport. Kennedy or Seattle-Tacoma International Airport were actually larger than on the plane itself, especially if the crowds of other people I saw at coffee stalls or on power sidewalks.
My recommendation for my patients: stay away and also wear your mask at airports. Fear is your friend, but caution is.
Marc Siegel MD, a member of the Board of Collaborators of Usa Today, is a professor of medicine and medical director of Doctor Radio at NYU Langone Health. He is a medical correspondent for Fox News and the new e-book “COVID: The Politics of Fear and the Power of Science. “Follow him on Twitter: @DrMarcSiegel
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