[melaniejs (OP)]

Richard asks:

Does the coronavirus circulate in the air that we breathe?

Anyone know?

[Jolly2]

Richard asks:

Does the coronavirus circulate in the air that we breathe?

Anyone know?

Corona is similar to the flu. So yes.

Main mode transmission is via the respiratory system.  The virus appears to massively replicate in the throat before spreading to the lungs.
This replication happens at the begining of the infection causing people to become highly contagious early before symptoms have even emerged.
Infact somewhere between 60 and 80 percent of people have mild or no symptoms at all, while they are still contagious.
Corona viruses have been found to survive on objects for days and weeks so it is potentially possible to catch it from touching something but it is far more likely the main mode of transmission for this novel Corona virus is from breathing, just like with the flu.

[evan_au]

While this corona virus is primarily a respiratory virus, there have been cases reported of corona virus being found in stools.

That means that it could spread very quickly in areas with inadequate sewage and water processing  - think many tropical countries of the "2/3 world".

[set fair]

Yes it is spread by both droplets (over short range) and aerosols which stay in the air (and incidently will pass through any mask and probably any respirator). This was a racing certainty and has been confirmed in Singapore where the virus was found in air in the ventilation ducts.

[Jolly2]

Yes it is spread by both droplets (over short range) and aerosols which stay in the air (and incidently will pass through any mask and probably any respirator). This was a racing certainty and has been confirmed in Singapore where the virus was found in air in the ventilation ducts.

Oh really and how is it going to do that with a size of 125 nM?

Really wish people wouldnt spread that kind of disinformation.  Masks are highly effective at preventing transmission, provided they are fitted correctly with  no spaces and prevent anything greater 125 nM passing through them.

Quote:-"3M industrial filters were able to capture over 95% of particles down to 0.007 micron."

[set fair]

3M industrial filters were able to capture over 95% of particles down to 0.007 micron does not imply 100% of particles down to 0.125 microns. I doubt they would give 100% protection to health workers and that the fit would remain perfect throughout a day.

[Jolly2]

3M industrial filters were able to capture over 95% of particles down to 0.007 micron does not imply 100% of particles down to 0.125 microns. I doubt they would give 100% protection to health workers and that the fit would remain perfect throughout a day.

Ok so a filter that has been shown to prevent particles of 0.007 In your opinion wont stop particles 18 times bigger...
Sorry to say I dont agree with you.

Besides even if a badly fitted or damaged mask allowed a few particles through, a small viral load  gives the body a far more time to prepare it's immune response compares to a bigger load.

[Bored chemist]

Besides even if a badly fitted or damaged mask allowed a few particles through

That's not what happens.
A badly fitted mask is practically useless. Perhaps 20 times less effective than when it's working properly.
And then it lulls you into a false sense of security too.