University of Minnesota's Osterholm: Respect COVID-19 aerosol threat

University of Minnesota infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm joined with leading aerosol and occupational scientists Monday to call for clearer federal guidance on the risk of COVID-19 spreading through tiny aerosols floating in the air.

The researchers criticized the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for acknowledging the aerosol risk last fall but offering no changes in the national COVID-19 response strategy to confront it. The national strategy primarily targets the risk of people projecting larger, virus-carrying droplets at others nearby.

"Aerosols produced through breathing, talking, and singing ... can remain in air and viable for long periods of time and travel long distances within a room and sometimes farther," the authors wrote in a letter to the CDC and the White House pandemic response leader.

https://www.startribune.com/university-of-minnesota-s-osterholm-respect-covid-19-aerosol-threat/600023930/