Don't stand, don't stand so, don't stand so close to me (federal, 2013)

[fluffythewondercat]

If you know someone who is suffering from the flu, you might want to keep your distance. Infectious flu-containing particles exhaled by a sick person can travel at least 6 feet, according to a study that came out in 2013.

The study involved 94 people who visited the hospital for flu-like symptoms during the 2010 to 2011 flu season. While the patient lay in bed, the researchers sampled the air in the room using devices that were placed 1, 3 and 6 feet away from each patient.

The results showed that potentially infectious particles were found at each of the sample locations, the researchers said. They also said they didn't know if infectious particles could travel further than 6 feet because they didn't test for that.

The infected person doesn't have to cough or sneeze to shed virus that travels 6 feet and possibly further.

If you're already social distancing in public at 6 feet, you might want to add some distance. Even if you've gotten your flu shot.

[Charlie&Rose]

Why don`t we just all lay down, and die now.

[TheShadow]

I generally avoid sick people completely, 6 feet , 100 feet, whatever it takes. If you are sick, please stay home. If I have to care for a person with the flu, I would assume that I would get it too no matter what precautions I might take. In the case of flu, a cold, corona, ebola, whatever, the further away you stay, the better off you will be. And for heaven's sake wear a mask.

[pikabike]

I try to stay as far away from sick people as possible. Regardless what kind of (contagious) sickness, but especially so for the gross ones.

[brava4]

I am so glad I retired when I did. I worked in a hospital, direct patient care, hundreds of people around every day and even though there are precautions taken, no thank you. Whew!

[jrkliny]

The 6 foot social distancing recommendation only helps with the highest risk of exposure. Studies have shown a good sneeze or cough can launch particles much further. Another big issue are aerosols which can hang in still air for long periods of time or which can be blown much further than 6 feet.

The South Korean restaurant data from the early days of Covid should have been a wake up call. One diner who became infected was about 15-20 feet and 2 tables from the sick individual.

[MarisaMay]

A lot of our Asian background population in Sydney routinely wear masks when they have viruses and have done so for many years. And at this stage the majority of people here still wearing masks are Asian.

We managed to have almost no flu this winter because of Covid restrictions and closed international borders. I have found it so pleasant that I am intending to wear a mask on the train when we get our next flu season. I know it only gives a little protection but better than nothing.

People here are still routinely spacing out when in queues. We are supposed to still be doing it but I think we really have gotten used to having more personal space and enjoy it.

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by jrkliny

The 6 foot social distancing recommendation only helps with the highest risk of exposure. Studies have shown a good sneeze or cough can launch particles much further. Another big issue are aerosols which can hang in still air for long periods of time or which can be blown much further than 6 feet.

The South Korean restaurant data from the early days of Covid should have been a wake up call. One diner who became infected was about 15-20 feet and 2 tables from the sick individual.

And they can prove that is how the person became infected how? They may have got infected at the gas station, grocery story etc.

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by marcandme

Why don`t we just all lay down, and die now.

I can't do that as death is not an excused absence where I work

[jrkliny]

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs

And they can prove that is how the person became infected how? They may have got infected at the gas station, grocery story etc.

The sad thing is that we have not had a Federal government with much interest in determining the facts. Most of what we know seems to come from foreign sources. We still rely on some basic knowledge often from S Korea. The restaurant tracing study was done very early in the pandemic when there were almost no cases. The Korean infectious disease experts looked at who was infected and where they were sitting. There is almost no possibility those individuals were infected elsewhere because of the very low disease prevalence at the time.

Since then there have been numerous studies of infectious aerosols which show those aerosols can be suspended for hours and they can travel and disperse in a wide area. Those infectious aerosols can settle on hard surfaces. No one has hard evidence as to how infectious any of this is. We do know the disease spreads very easily.