Kimberly Prather, Ph.D.
@kprather88
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Scientist who loves to read, cook, and garden. Research on airborne disease transmission, aerosol impacts on climate, air quality. now: https://t.co/BYhxA9l7g7
San Diego, CA
Joined April 2009
Someone just sent me info on outbreak in a hospital break room where 14/15 got infected by 1 index case in one shift. The max in room at once time was 4. Warning: don’t take off mask just because people are not present. The virus can linger in the air in small spaces for hours.
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Just explained to a school superintendent why spraying bleach into the air in classrooms is a bad idea…somehow she thinks she and others on her board know better than experts. Feel bad for the kids and teachers. Lawsuits will be coming next. somehow she hasn’t thought of this.
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My response to @CDCDirector. After nearly 3 years, I am beyond stunned at your recent Tweet. talks about washing hands and doesn't say a word about masks or cleaning indoor air. This has led me (as a member of four scientific academies) (1/).
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Most docs wear N95s when seeing potential COVID patients and remove them after they leave room. The virus hovers in rooms for hours. This notion of 6ft and 15 min near an infected individual to call close contact is ludicrous and leading to the continuing propagation of COVID-19.
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I cannot believe how hard it is to help the world understand that the virus that causes COVID-19 is airborne. You can protect yourself with better masks, ventilation, and filtered indoor air. It is that simple.
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It is stunning to see all of the people not wearing masks indoors and having no idea while looking at me as if I am the one who is out of touch. This is a direct result of all of the misinfo that has been out there since Day 1--and it is why some places are experiencing wave #6.
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So if we all agree that we will be living with respiratory viruses in the future and that they have an airborne transmission component, can we agree that it is essential to clean indoor air using filtration and ventilation for all schools/businesses so we can get our lives back?.
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COVID-19 cases are skyrocketing. I just had someone call the situation surrounding us an "inferno". #COVIDIsAirborne but I am seeing zero masks. This is an incredible time in history. I am so tired of watching this continue which it doesn't have to. what the heck is wrong?.
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Feeling discouraged to see another wave hitting when we had multiple warnings, we knew it was airborne, and we knew how to fix it.
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I have avoided directly sharing any political view. I cannot continue to do so. I support @KamalaHarris 100%. I do not understand those who do not. I was raised to back someone with values like @VP.
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As I see more people who have remained COVID-free for 2+ years becoming infected, it is obvious that 2 things are happening - 1) we are dropping our guards as we worn down, and 2) mandates are being removed so more virus that is much infectious is in the air around us. (1/3).
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Not good to see so many people coming down with COVID-19--many have been lucky (and determined) to avoid it for ~2.5 years. As predicted, the virus has grown to be quite infectious and is very unforgiving. Remember, one tiny window of letting your guard down is enough. (1/2).
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Why are we dancing around the fact that cleaning/filtering indoor air will improve public health?.
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How many people (on Twitter) realize that you must wear a good mask in all public spaces especially break rooms, public restrooms, and indoor corridor even when no one is around? The virus lingers in poorly ventilated spaces for hours after infectious individuals are gone.
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#COVIDisAirborne going to tweet this until the day I walk into one business and see HEPA filters or CR boxes in place of a huge bottle of hand sanitizer.
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We need a major movement in adding air filtration to indoor spaces. HEPAs/CR boxes are equivalent to lungs for the room. They filter all viruses, bacteria, pollution, and allergens from the air instead of you inhaling them. Anyone who says differently has a conflict of interest.
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I have tried to hold onto hope that @CDCDirector @CDCgov will pull through and lead us out of this mess. Today, I give up. It is absolutely appalling to let (force) HCWs go back to work without even taking a rapid test on/after Day 5. It is going against the science and reckless.
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Someone just asked me how sure I am #COVIDisAirborne . My response: all evidence to date points to the fact this virus travels in infectious aerosols produced in speech which can be inhaled. There is no counter evidence. It is airborne. We must say so ASAP to protect everyone.
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I was just asked what "frustrates" me the most about still being in this pandemic? I am frustrated because if everyone knew how to clean indoor air, the importance of masks and vaccines, and how to avoid high risk situations, we could slow the spread and end the pandemic. (1/2).
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Universal masking lowers risk of infections. Masks filter in both directions. We are lucky it has a size that is readily blocked. Why are we not using this information to protect people? Adding room filtration adds an extra mask to the entire room. It is so simple to fix.
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I know a pediatrician who finally caught COVID after 3.5 yrs who is being told she needs to return to work even though she is still testing positive (at 7 days) and feels awful. One of her main jobs is to check over newborns. This is scary and not OK. Lawsuits need to start.
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COVID is mainly transmitted through aerosols which linger in the air and NOT droplets which fall to the ground fast (w/in 6 ft). Aerosols can build up in a poorly ventilated room like cigarette smoke. This means everyone sharing the same indoor air can be exposed and infected.
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This virus is being spread around the world by infectious individuals exhaling aerosols that are ultimately inhaled by others in indoor air. Please let others know…good masks, distance, ventilation, and filtration. We can end this by acknowledging SARS-CoV2 is airborne.
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If you are sick, stay home. especially when you are so sick, you need to see a doctor! Don't go out to a restaurant (for a doctor's appointment!!) where people are eating (and not wearing masks)! (3/3).
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I have spent 30 years studying aerosols and how they fly around the globe and seed clouds. We showed aerosols from Africa change the snowfall over California. This is how I got sucked into this craziness. first Q. can aerosols travel further than 6 ft? Hmmm. Yes. Much further.
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I can’t believe what I just heard on @MSNBC. @kavitapmd just stated a test for N95 mask seal is spray perfume and if you smell it, the seal is not good. Nooooooo! You smell the gaseous vapor…molecules that masks can’t block. Aerosols w/ virus are MUCH larger. Terrible seal test.
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Anyone who refuses to wear a mask is helping propagate this virus. If you don't wear a mask, you are contributing to the airborne viral load. Help end this pandemic by wearing a mask.
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I may set a record for blocks today. people calling me obese and wanting to recall my PhD because I am so stupid. Why? Because I am trying to help them understand how this virus spreads and how to help protect them and their families. Makes perfect sense, right?.
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Saying you are no longer wearing a mask because "everyone is going to catch COVID" is another way of saying you have not thought about all of the people who will be harmed by catching COVID. If we work together, we can beat this virus. If we battle each other, the virus will win.
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Aerosols float like cigarette smoke and build up indoors. Droplets drop like cannonballs. 100 to 1000 times more aerosols are produced than droplets in speech. Why has this been so hard to get across???.
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to write to you to beg you to please fix your message. COVID-19 is airborne. It is not on surfaces as CDC has reported (<1 in 10,000 chance of being infected from fomites). I am in complete disbelief after reading your tweet. (2/).
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I am deeply concerned that even those that have been "safe" and avoiding risk are now starting to chant-we will all get it sooner than later, so let's throw up our hands. I do not agree. We all need to press for clean indoor air first to protect everyone (not just ourselves).
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Proper fitting masks work. All people I know who wear N95s have not caught COVID with two exceptions. 1. Living w/ kids who bring it home where you don't wear a mask and 2. Travel where you lose control of avoiding high risk situations. Stay safe and wear a good mask.
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As long as most of the world continues to believe they need to clean viruses off of surfaces instead of removing it from the air, yes, we are all in deep trouble.
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Yes, I am wearing a mask indoors in public. I just wore one thru a 40 min talk I gave at a conference. I am furious at those coughing, choking, and blowing their noses around me--with no mask and no testing!! If you feel sick, stay home!! You could kill or debilitate someone.
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Email I just sent to @CDCgov director after seeing their abysmal report on masking. Hello, . I have spent the last few years helping people understand how to protect against the airborne nature of SARS-2. The pandemic should and could have ended long ago. (1/).
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Catching the virus elevates your risk of memory problems by 77%. It elevates your risk of stroke by 55%. It elevates your risk of seizures by 80%. That’s because Covid attacks the lining of your blood vessels, and it attacks your brain cells.
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Benefits of clean indoor air in school classrooms. 1. Better cognitive function.2. Lower risk of inhaling SARS2 .3. Lower risk of flu and other respiratory diseases.4. Less inhalation of wildfire smoke and air pollution.5. Less absences.6. Less allergies.7. Please add to list.
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#COVIDIsAirborne. Yes, I am saying it again. Why? Because I am still seeing zero masks, hospitals overflowing, hand sanitizer, and no air filtration everywhere I go. Is the human race this stupid or just confused?.
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It is well past time for people around the world to understand and yell. this virus is airborne and inhaled in poorly ventilated indoor spaces. We can end this pandemic by adding ventilation and filtration. Guaranteed. Why aren't we doing it? #COVIDisAirborne #OmicronIsAirborne.
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Said it before and I will say it again. The #1 way to slow the spread is to block the virus at the source. With a disease where so many infectious people have no symptoms, this is essential. Universal masking lowers the overall airborne viral load which reduces risk for all.
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Why are people surprised as cases start to increase due to the arrival of BA.2 in the US? No variant has skipped us before, why would it now. We even get a pre-warning watching places like the UK. And what did we do this time? Dropped airborne protections and reduced testing. Ugh.
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Disappointed to see parents being put in the position of sending their kids back to school with no assurance of clean indoor air in classrooms. We have been explaining how to do this since August of last year. Good masks work. Ventilation/filtration are key layers of protection.
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@CDCDirector OMG, please @CDCDirector -- how can you avoid the obvious suggestions at this point??? This is killing me. How about clean indoor air and wear a good mask? Nowhere on your list. This is the most depressing thing I have seen in a very long time.
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I simply cannot believe the number of people who are content to throw up their hands and say "let's live with this virus" when there are simple measures to clean the air that would protect everyone. (1/).
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Warning: SARS-2 is airborne. Watch those poorly ventilated indoor corridors which can fill with air from surrounding rooms. Even if you don't see anyone else, wear a mask at all times indoors.
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I (and millions of others) would appreciate your clarification that COVID and other viruses like RSV are airborne. There is also a ton of misinformation floating out there that inhaling airborne pathogens is somehow good for you. (3/).
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I am seriously upset that so many smart educated people surround me at a meeting with ZERO masks & look at me like they do not understand why I am still wearing one. Literally only 3/130 smart people who understand airflow are wearing a mask at this conference I am attending.
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It is deeply disturbing how wearing a mask has become so politicized. Because so much disinformation has been spread, even reasonable people are confused. Masks work. Masks allow us to go out while a deadly virus is spreading. Masks are NOT a "scarlet letter".
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Somehow the hygiene principle has gotten conflated with airborne pathogens. Yes, there are beneficial microbes (for your gut) but there are NO beneficial airborne pathogens! As excellent analogies, there is zero evidence that filtering water (to remove cholera) (4/).
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SARS-2 virus is airborne. We need to filter indoor air, wear good masks, open doors, & add ventilation to end this pandemic. It is that simple. If this had been acknowledged 22 months ago, we never would have been in this situation and thousands of lives would have been saved.
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So frustrating hearing scientists say the virus is just going to continue to evolve…like we are helpless. The virus can’t evolve if we stop the airborne spread. We know how to do this. Clean indoor air using filtration/ventilation. It is such a fixable problem. (1/2).
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COVID-19 is still circulating. in fact, it seems to returning with a vengeance. IF you choose to travel or do other activities, wear a frigging mask indoors. The virus is transmitted IN THE AIR. Every plane I got on--they handed me wipes. (1/3).
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OK world: the SARS-CoV-2 virus is AIRBORNE. Omicron is incredibly contagious. In addition to vaccinations/boosters, wear high quality masks (fit and filtration) indoors at all times. Improve ventilation and add filtration. Starve this friggin' virus so we can end this pandemic.
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Crazy 101. seeing an MD on a plane frantically wiping down all surfaces with no mask in sight (while I am wearing one and gently telling her "it is in the air". she then nodded and complained she had had the worst case of RSV and COVID with a 104 degree fever. Really?.
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How do officials keep failing to understand that by pushing for “normal” (while over 2,000 are DYING each day in the US) and dropping mask mandates, they are only increasing the spread and lengthening the pandemic?.
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We drink 2-3 L of water a day. Water can contain pathogens. We filter our water. We breathe 11,000 L of air. Air can contain pathogens. We do not filter our air. Why not?.
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At store. saw a mom with two kids under 5 (thus unvaccinated) working super hard to wipe down their cart with hand sanitizer. I said to her (while wearing my elastomeric respirator), too bad many don't realize there's a lot more virus in the air than on surfaces. She laughed.
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I plan to continue to wear an N95 indoors in public places until case counts go down. I will likely wear one during the winters for all future years. Asian countries have gotten this right. I have not had a cold or flu in over 2 years. quite nice!.
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So hard to watch the spread of this virus leading to this ongoing pandemic. We know how to stop it. It is not 1918. We have vaccines, ventilation, filtration, better masks. why the heck are we making this so challenging? It makes zero sense. It doesn't have to be this way.
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Went out to breakfast with fam for first time in 3 years (have been getting food to go). went early (before too busy) and got outside table. People hacking one table over. Dad gets video call and hands phone to son. Guess what it was!? (1/3).
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and cooking food (to kill salmonella) has turned out to be bad for you. It is equally important to filter pathogens out of indoor air--it is the solution to ending this pandemic. The White House OSTP has woken up and is spreading this message. (5/).
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Can the CDC please start to help share this key message soon?. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. (6/end).
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To all healthcare systems dropping mask mandates, are you dropping handwashing too? Given that most respiratory viruses are transmitted through the air and inhaled, your insistence on handwashing (with no masks) is far from logical. I have yet to hear a logical explanation.
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"The most common way COVID-19 is transmitted from one person to another is through tiny airborne particles of the virus hanging in indoor air for minutes or hours after an infected person has been there". #COVIDisAirborne hallelujah! @drdavidmichaels.
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Someone just reminded me that the US has >100,000 cases of COVID-19 a day. And we are being told the pandemic is over and "move on" without addressing indoor air quality? An infectious virus that gets into your body and affects you for month to years. On what planet is this OK?.
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#CovidIsNotOver If everyone wore a /good/ mask, we could slow the spread. Adding clean indoor air measures will end this pandemic and help get us back to our lives. Vaccines help too. Layers are key.
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There is a critical message that needs to get out to save lives. Holiday gatherings are going to do enough to accelerate the pandemic without having people think that if they sit in cozy living/dining rooms at opposite ends of 6 foot tape measures they will be safe. (1/).
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SARS-1 was acknowledged and treated as airborne right away. This ended it and stopped it from becoming a pandemic. Why was SARS-2 not treated as airborne?.
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My point: she thought I was joking about more being in the air. 2.5 years into a global pandemic and THIS is what most of the public believe! Thank you @CDCDirector @CDCgov @WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan @gabbystern for not sending helpful messaging. It didn't have to be this way.
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I keep getting told that "everyone has caught covid". Not me that I know. Still vaccinated and wearing a KN95 or respirator indoors especially during air travel. Don't give up. #COVIDisAirborne act accordingly.
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Seems like 9/10 members of the public still think this virus is on surfaces and have no idea it is in the air. This is total failure in messaging by @CDCgov and @WHO and members of public health who continue to refuse to clearly state #COVIDisAirborne.
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Anyone trying to have in person meetings needs to understand #CovidIsNotOver just because you say it is. If you tell people, we will have no added layers of protection but you can just stay home if you aren't comfortable, you are excluding the vulnerable and disabled.
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People need to stop and realize the SARS-CoV-2 virus is our enemy. We all need to band together and fight this virus not each other or the virus will continue to circulate and win! Masks, clean indoor air, vaccines all help us in this battle. Mis/dis-information works against us.
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I feel so profoundly bad for parents with kids < 12 years old right now…those that understand the importance of vaccines/masks/ventilation/filtration. You all need to start yelling as loud as the anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers so school officials hear you.
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Droplets drop (w/in 6 ft). Aerosols float like smoke indoors, travel further than 6 ft, and build up over time in poorly ventilated spaces. Crowded indoor locations are high risk. Felt the need to repeat this one more time because many people just don't seem to be getting it.
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Someone asked me why I feel one reason for the slow admission of #COVIDIsAirborne is due to a COI. Answer: Because the chair of the infection control committee for the @WHO has stake in a company that puts hand washing machines on the walls of hospitals (John Conly). (1/2).
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They understood how to reduce transmission of an airborne respiratory virus back in 1918 before they had a vaccine. Why is the world struggling so much now with making the right choices to make it clear #COVIDisAirborne so people clean the air and fully protect themselves?
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The Air Quality Index that says the air is safe in LA after the wildfires. The AQI does not take into account toxic gases that form when urban materials burn at such high temps. My team and I are discussing going there to measure the toxins in the air (and between SD and LA).
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Good job @AlaskaAir . air is flowing in a major way as we board. literally loud and blowing. Check out CO2 on boarding. Thank you for setting the standard that all airlines should follow!!
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This is the "hot spot" we have identified in Imperial Beach where turbulence in the river releases extensive odor and river spray aerosols containing viruses, bacteria, and other pollutants. The foam extends from this point all the way to the ocean. Residents told me (1/2)
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Have we gotten to the point where the variants are so infectious that one way masking is not enough?.
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Why are some people making such an effort to claim masks don't work when massive amounts of peer reviewed evidence shows they do?.
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Video doctors appt!!! Son has been sick, body aches, mucus, sore throat for 5 days. Dad was coughing and patting him on the back while he had his appointment. We got up and left. Unbelievable. (2/3).
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Closing your eyes and mind won't make COVID-19 go away.
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We will not be able to vaccinate our way out of this pandemic. We must also clean indoor air and wear masks indoors until it is fully suppressed. Everyone is tired. I am tired. But we can't let this virus beat us. Please mask up and clean indoor air. #COVIDIsAirborne.
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We all want our “normal” lives back. A key difference is many of us believe we can do it in a way that is equitable for all. Everyone deserves to breathe clean indoor air and there are solutions right in front of us. Adding air filtration is a key layer of protection.
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Walking around, I see zero masks. Some people I really respect are saying that we will not get another surge. Watching other places (EU, UK) starting to see increase in cases. Which will it be? I am continuing to be cautious and wear my KN95. we will know in a few weeks.
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Wearing my mask while getting my hair cut. hair dresser says. is there something wrong? I said. same ol'. still don't want to catch covid which is peaking right now. She says. yes everyone does seem sick. .
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Why does wearing a good mask upset some people so much? They resort to name calling at the level of a 5 year old. Fear? Ignorance? What drives this toxic behavior?.
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Two cute classroom members that filter air 2000 times faster than one human breathes in indoor air making it much more likely they suck the virus in than your child. Why not add them to your classroom? They will protect the health of all kids.
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I am asked about travel a lot. I have flown across the US and to/from Europe and not caught COVID or any respiratory bug. I carry my CO2 sensor to determine where to sit in airports. Lounges are typically poorly ventilated and everyone is eating/drinking with no mask. (1/3).
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Did the @CDCDirector actually say that she will not recommend N95's during a global pandemic because they might be uncomfortable? Wonder how they compare to being ventilated. This is just not logical and suggests she is receiving really bad input/pressure. What a nightmare.
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Excellent article. Informative, clear, direct. One of the best of the pandemic. Great job @jvipondmd @sameo416 @Mark_Ungrin -- thank you!! A few highlights below in thread (there are /many/ more in the article which is well worth a read)! (1/).
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I am proud to say that I will be testifying at the OSHA hearing in 2 weeks to provide a reason to provide better PPE to fully protect healthcare workers against airborne transmission. I have 10 minutes--what should I include?.
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How about the new normal including ways to clean indoor air? Let's make it so that we don't catch flu every winter. We can do this. Indoor ventilation and filtration are key parts of moving forward towards the new normal.
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It has been so disappointing to see masks dropped in healthcare. I testified for OSHA to show how this makes zero sense. It seems like this has been a tipping point where vulnerable people are feeling even more abandoned. Let's unite and send a message to fight this together.
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I am wiling to bet my first born child that if everyone filtered their indoor air (homes, businesses, schools), we would stop the spread of this virus. Please prove me wrong.
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Last night was the first time I cried before going to sleep worrying about the state of our world. It is so disheartening to watch 1 wave after another when we can stop it once we acknowledge #COVIDIsAirborne. Please let's work together to stop the airborne spread of SARS-CoV-2.
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