Covid-19 can be transmitted through the air!

Lect. Nur Gamze Bostan said, "We have been struggling with the Covid-19 disease epidemic for more than a year, caused by the SARS-Cov-19 virus, which continues to have devastating effects all over the world and the number of cases started to increase again at the beginning of winter. What we have learned about the virus and the disease so far has helped us with testing and diagnosis, but on the other hand, the answers to 'In what ways can the SARS-Cov-19 virus be transmitted?', 'How long can the SARS-Cov-19 virus remain infective outside the cell?' There are also debated and unclear questions."
Lect.  Nur Gamze Bostan said, "First of all, if we talk briefly about the transmission route of respiratory tract viruses, there are 3 main ways. The first is direct contact with the infected person or his contaminated items, the second is talking, coughing, etc. near the infected person. The third is airborne contamination, which occurs when particles much smaller than droplets are suspended in the air and can be transported over longer distances and for longer periods of time. Since the most common of these is transmission as a result of close contact, the first important prevention advice on public health is 'social distance. For the social distancing measure to be effective, a possible infected respiratory particle must fall to the ground or be in low concentration at a distance that another individual cannot be exposed to by breathing. As a result of the researches, it is known that the droplets that can fall to the ground within the recommended social distance (2 meters) range are relatively large droplets (around 100 µm). It has been determined that there are droplets in the air that can be breathed.
Bostan said, "Although it was thought that airborne transmission of the new coronavirus was unlikely at the beginning of the pandemic, as a result of the evidence that emerged in the last months, it was determined that there are 'infective microdroplets' that can hang in the air and can be exposed to individuals outside of 2 meters. In October 2020, the Epidemic Disease Control and Prevention Unit (CDC) updated the information on its website and stated that the new coronavirus can also be transmitted by airborne, apart from close contact. Although it is not the 'main way of transmission' of the virus, it is often the places where air-borne transmission is most common in closed places with insufficient ventilation. These small airborne particles can stay in the air for long periods and can be carried by air in closed environments and infect regardless of distance. In this way, as the duration of being in closed and airless environments increases, the risk of infection increases at the same rate.
How Can We Protect Ourselves from the Airborne Virus?
Lect. Nur Gamze Bostan listed the airborne virus protection methods as items:
First, the mask. The use of masks is a measure that can reduce the spread and transmission of the virus. It is necessary to wear the mask correctly. It should be worn in such a way that it completely covers the mouth and nose. (Small airborne particles can be dispersed through the nose and mouth and ingested in the same way.)
Apart from this, being in closed and airless environments should be avoided. In case of necessity, ventilation should be done whenever possible.
Social distance should always be observed, as the main transmission route is short distances.
Hands should be washed and cleaned, especially with soap-based substances, and disinfectant should be used if necessary. Since how long the virus particle can maintain its infective feature on surfaces and the subject of contamination from surfaces due to this is still not clearly clarified, it should never be touched around the respiratory area with dirty hands after surface contact outside the home.
As a result, we should not give up our precautions and we should not forget that these difficult days will end thanks to our attention and common sense. I wish you healthy days.