1206: Why Viruses Spread More Easily in Winter?

1. In winters, people tend to spend more time indoors, where ventilation is poor and we’re in closer proximity to other people.
2. The Air Outside is Less Humid: Viruses stay stable and linger for longer when the air is less humid.
3. Nasal Membranes Are Drier: Feels dry and cracked. These cracks make you more vulnerable to infection. Staying hydrated and using a saline nasal spray can help.
4. Other Illnesses Cause Coughing and Sneezing: It’s possible to have co-infections of COVID-19 and say, the seasonal flu. So even if a person has an asymptomatic case of COVID-19, another infection may cause the coughing and sneezing that is known to increase the spread of the coronavirus.
5. The virus lipid membrane may get thicker.

1207: Mask fatigue and air travel

1. It’s getting harder for some people to comply with the safety rules but a mask is life saving.
2. Don’t wear gloves, it gives you a false sense of security — just use your hands and wash them when you get home.
3. If you do need to fly, wear eye protection, a mask and minimize the time the mask is down. For instance, eat a protein bar, then put up your mask immediately after you take a bite while you chew. There are studies on how air circulates on airplanes; it goes in a downward direction which reduces the transmission between rows as well.
4. When you arrive at your destination, change your clothes and take a shower to minimize the risk. COVID does live on the skin for up to six to nine hours and can live on surfaces. It’s been shown to live on plastic for up to 72 hours and on cardboard and paper for 24 hours.
5. Don’t eat indoors with people outside of your household. That is a major scientifically-proven mechanism of transmission. If you are sitting across the table from someone, you can still transmit it.

Dr KK Aggarwal

President CMAAO, HCFI and Past National President IMA