PEOPLE OVER 6' HAVE DOUBLE THE RISK OF CORONVIRUS, STUDY SUGGESTS
University of Manchester survey: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discov...is-significant-form-of-covid-19-transmission/
The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...ts/?WT.mc_id=tmgliveapp_iosshare_AvsGpST05HHy
Findings indicate Covid is transmitting through air, as height would not make a difference if it were carried exclusively through droplets
BySarah Knapton, SCIENCE EDITOR28 July 2020 • 10:35am
People over 6ft tall have more than double the chance of being diagnosed with Covid-19, a survey suggests.
An international team of researchers, including experts from the University of Manchester and Open University, surveyed 2,000 people in the UK and US to look at whether personal attributes, work and living practices might influence transmission.
The team found that taller people are at higher risk, which the scientists say suggests that the virus is transmitting through the air, as height would not make a difference if people were contracting the diseases exclusively through droplets.
Aerosols can accumulate in poorly ventilated areas and are carried by air currents. Droplets, however, are bigger than aerosols and are thought to travel relatively short distances and drop quickly from the air.
Prof Evan Kontopantelis, from The University of Manchester, said: “The results of this survey in terms of associations between height and diagnosis suggest downward droplet transmission is not the only transmission mechanism and aerosol transmission is possible. This has been suggested by other studies but our method of confirmation is novel.
“Though social distancing is still important because transmission by droplets is still likely to occur, it does suggest that mask wearing may be just as - if not more - effective in prevention. But also, air purification in interior spaces should be further explored.”
The survey also found that using a shared kitchen or accommodation - a proxy for deprivation - was also a significant factor, in both the US and UK, but especially in the US where the odds are 3.5 times as high. In the UK they were 1.7 times higher.
People with natural science degrees in the UK were also slightly less likely to get the disease.
Although the paper is yet to be peer reviewed, the authors say that it might help people take greater precautions and help to refine shielding guidance.
Prof Paul Anand, a Research Director at The Open University said: “Much scientific research has focused on patterns of spread and underlying mechanisms of transmission.
“But as economies and societies reopen, it is important to know more about the role of personal factors as predictors of transmission.
“Though both are market economies, the US and UK differ in the extent and manner in which they provide access to healthcare and welfare support – and that to some extent is demonstrated by the associations shown by the data.”
Rolando Gonzales Martinez, researcher of the University of Agder in Norway, said “Both structural and individual factors must be taken into account when predicting transmission or designing effective public health measures and messages to prevent or contain transmission.
“But it would be helpful to have repeat observations so more could be said about changes over time.”
University of Manchester survey: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discov...is-significant-form-of-covid-19-transmission/
The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...ts/?WT.mc_id=tmgliveapp_iosshare_AvsGpST05HHy
Findings indicate Covid is transmitting through air, as height would not make a difference if it were carried exclusively through droplets
BySarah Knapton, SCIENCE EDITOR28 July 2020 • 10:35am
People over 6ft tall have more than double the chance of being diagnosed with Covid-19, a survey suggests.
An international team of researchers, including experts from the University of Manchester and Open University, surveyed 2,000 people in the UK and US to look at whether personal attributes, work and living practices might influence transmission.
The team found that taller people are at higher risk, which the scientists say suggests that the virus is transmitting through the air, as height would not make a difference if people were contracting the diseases exclusively through droplets.
Aerosols can accumulate in poorly ventilated areas and are carried by air currents. Droplets, however, are bigger than aerosols and are thought to travel relatively short distances and drop quickly from the air.
Prof Evan Kontopantelis, from The University of Manchester, said: “The results of this survey in terms of associations between height and diagnosis suggest downward droplet transmission is not the only transmission mechanism and aerosol transmission is possible. This has been suggested by other studies but our method of confirmation is novel.
“Though social distancing is still important because transmission by droplets is still likely to occur, it does suggest that mask wearing may be just as - if not more - effective in prevention. But also, air purification in interior spaces should be further explored.”
The survey also found that using a shared kitchen or accommodation - a proxy for deprivation - was also a significant factor, in both the US and UK, but especially in the US where the odds are 3.5 times as high. In the UK they were 1.7 times higher.
People with natural science degrees in the UK were also slightly less likely to get the disease.
Although the paper is yet to be peer reviewed, the authors say that it might help people take greater precautions and help to refine shielding guidance.
Prof Paul Anand, a Research Director at The Open University said: “Much scientific research has focused on patterns of spread and underlying mechanisms of transmission.
“But as economies and societies reopen, it is important to know more about the role of personal factors as predictors of transmission.
“Though both are market economies, the US and UK differ in the extent and manner in which they provide access to healthcare and welfare support – and that to some extent is demonstrated by the associations shown by the data.”
Rolando Gonzales Martinez, researcher of the University of Agder in Norway, said “Both structural and individual factors must be taken into account when predicting transmission or designing effective public health measures and messages to prevent or contain transmission.
“But it would be helpful to have repeat observations so more could be said about changes over time.”
