As we begin 2021, we hope that we will soon be returning to our workplaces, drinks and dinners with friends and family, travels and tours. However, it will still be important to follow all safety protocols to avoid and minimise the spread of COVID-19.
Today we will be focusing on the new study that states the major effectiveness of ventilation that helps to minimise the spread of COVID-19 indoors. We always value the effectiveness of ventilation, fresh airflow at home and maximum usage of our beloved GeoSmartPro’s AirGo Smart Fan in summer as well as winter – we are more than excited to share the knowledge of how ventilation can help reduce the risk of COVID-19 indoors for our customers.
Fresh air, also described as “forgotten weapon” by the Science editor of BBC news David Shukman, can help reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading in stuffy rooms. Many leading engineers and medical experts are now worried that the government’s new slogan “hand, space, face” should also emphasise the importance of fresh air. According to Eilir Hugues, who’s a surgeon in north Wales and now became as “Dr Fresh Air” for his campaign that adds the fourth word in the government slogan “hands, face, space, replace”, believes that replacing the uncirculated air by fresh air can tremendously help reduce the risk of getting infected. The council in Anglesey has already started to display banners using Dr Hugues’s four-word slogan to spread awareness across UK.
Understanding the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, we now know that it is spread by larger particles called “droplets”, the lighter particles called “aerosol” and by touching the contaminated surface. Hence, hand washing, social distancing and mask wearing protocols were implied by UK government and World Health Organisation. However, many new studies have found that there is no guarantee of defense and with lighter particles lingering in the air is it necessary to ventilate rooms, building and homes to avoid transmission. In a guide by many as well as Professor Shaun Fitzgerald, a University of Cambridge scientist at the Chartered Institution of Building Service Engineers, describes the importance of opening windows. According to Dr Fitzgerald, the research shows the risk of virus can be reduced by 70-80% by bringing and maintaining a good or enough amount of fresh air supply. Furthermore, he also tends to believe and add in the fourth component in the government slogan making it, “hands, space, face, fresh air”. Since these research many news distributors such as BBC UK, Telegraph UK and The Times UK, has supported and made sure to raise awareness about the fourth component in the government slogan.
To increase ventilation at home you can;
Open windows throughout the day for the fresh air to replace stale air. If possible open windows around the house to increase ventilation.
Use cross-ventilation method for more efficient and further ventilation. This can be done by placing a fan near open windows to push the inside stale air out and fresh air in.
Use bathroom fans at home continuously or when in use.
When using a transportations such as Ubers or taxies, make sure the windows are down to have it push the fresh air in – but still wear mask!
Understanding and taking action to improve air circulation where possible can help save lives! If you feel like you’re in a position either in a restaurant or a place where the rooms are stuffy, chances are it’s not ventilated enough, in that case it is advisable to leave. Furthermore, keep yourself and others safe by; washing your hands, keeping strict social distance and wearing a mask when in public.