Possible Mode of Transmission for COVID

Part II

Regarding the Mode of Transmission

The below image depicts how aerosols from viruses (such as H1N1, SARS, and CoVID) spread among the human population.

1: Aerosol transmission / (particles of less than 5 um in size) spread is a risk for COVID . That is one of the reasons level 3 PPE was recommended for any medical procedures which can generate aerosol transmission such as intubation, mechanical ventilation, CPR, trachesostomy, nebulisation, suctioning of secretions, non invasive ventilations such as BIPAP. Otherwise it is highly unlikely to transmit via air, unless in a incubated environment.

2: Regarding transmission via respiratory droplets. The more common method of transmission is via respiratory droplets (more than 5um size particles). These are obtained from human bodily fluids predominantly formed in the mouth, nostrils, and ears (ENT). Respiratory droplets which once settled on human skin, fomites, or mucous membranes; as well as objects which we touch.

These can be found when someone sneezes, coughs, speaks, or blows their nose. Regarding coverage of the lower facial region, saliva droplets are more apparent when we speak and release saliva/spit from our mouth onto surfaces around us. Hence the usage of masks, to protect all those around us from our own saliva, from a person that might be infected.

In the case of no previous viral exposure, which would result in no prior antibody development within the immune system of the human body. This would no longer be the case once mass herd immunity has been achieved which is relatively easy to do in large scale populations. Antibody development is achieved via exposure.

3: There are some studies stating intestinal infection is possible and may be that route may emerge as well but not confirmed at this stage. This would be the concern regarding consuming food or fluids that can contain infected droplets and then go into the digestive system. (April 2020).

Since there have been several viral replication cycles involving the multiple strains that have been studied in the previous decade, it appears highly unlikely that such a route of transmission is accomplished via these aerosols.

Therefore to reiterate at the current time this is not a major concern. There has been mass production and consumption of outdoor food from public spaces including public grocery stores and restaurants over the previous year and despite ongoing exposure to food preparation (resulting in mass aerosol as well as respiratory droplet spread) no current detrimental ramifications have been stated in the US.

Contamination on Inanimate Surfaces

Regarding the stability of COVID on inanimate surfaces. It can be stable for up to 5 days or even 7 days. But can be removed easily with a disinfectant, alcohol based or bleach, similar to other viral and bacterial strains.

A previous observation of the MRSA outbreak involving bacterial mutations superseding cleaning supplies can be referred to.

Furthermore, these viruses can be inactivated by lipid solvents containing ether (75%) ethanol, ethanol direct , chlorine-containing disinfectant, peroxyacetic acid, and peroxiding chlorine containing disinfectant, peroxyacetic acid, and chloroform except for chlorhexidine.

Therefore any object or surface that has come across human liquid from an infected individual has the possibility of containing an infected respiratory droplet for upwards of 5 to 7 days.

Regarding the duration of contamination on objects and surfaces, CoVID can be found on plastic for up 2-3 days, stainless steel for 2-3 days, cardboard for up to 1 day, copper for up to 4 hours.

This can be rectified by surface or object cleansing with bleach or a disinfectant product that will remove any contaminated liquids (saliva/spit from mouth, mucous from nose, or other bodily fluids that may carry droplets).