OK - this could be bad news. Preliminary evidence indicates Corona Virus on air pollution particles
Today from weather.com;In response to:
Researchers Find Coronavirus on Pollution Particles
By Ron Brackett 5 hours ago
At a Glance
Preliminary results find evidence of the novel coronavirus on air pollution over Bergamo, Italy.
Bergamo is one of Italy's most polluted provinces. Scientists agree more study is needed.
Italian researchers say they have found evidence of the novel coronavirus on tiny particles of air pollution.
The work is preliminary, and it appears on a site that preprints studies before they have been peer reviewed.
Air samples were collected at two sites in Bergamo province in northern Italy's Lombardy region, the area of the country hit hardest by the pandemic. Testing found a gene highly specific to COVID-19 in multiple samples from the province, one of the most polluted in Italy.
An independent laboratory confirmed the gene detection by blind testing, The Guardian reported.
Separate research groups have suggested pollution particles may carry the coronavirus particles farther.
The work was led by Leonardo Setti, an industrial chemist at the University of Bologna. He said it's important now to investigate whether the coronavirus can be carried more widely by air pollution.
“I am a scientist and I am worried when I don’t know,” he told The Guardian. “If we know, we can find a solution. But if we don’t know, we can only suffer the consequences.”
Jonathan Reid, a Bristol University professor researching airborne transmission of coronavirus, told The Guardian, “It is perhaps not surprising that while suspended in air, the small droplets could combine with background urban particles and be carried around.”
Earlier studies have found that people exposed to higher levels of air pollution were more likely to die from COVID-19.
Researchers Find Coronavirus on Pollution Particles
By Ron Brackett 5 hours ago
At a Glance
Preliminary results find evidence of the novel coronavirus on air pollution over Bergamo, Italy.
Bergamo is one of Italy's most polluted provinces. Scientists agree more study is needed.
Italian researchers say they have found evidence of the novel coronavirus on tiny particles of air pollution.
The work is preliminary, and it appears on a site that preprints studies before they have been peer reviewed.
Air samples were collected at two sites in Bergamo province in northern Italy's Lombardy region, the area of the country hit hardest by the pandemic. Testing found a gene highly specific to COVID-19 in multiple samples from the province, one of the most polluted in Italy.
An independent laboratory confirmed the gene detection by blind testing, The Guardian reported.
Separate research groups have suggested pollution particles may carry the coronavirus particles farther.
The work was led by Leonardo Setti, an industrial chemist at the University of Bologna. He said it's important now to investigate whether the coronavirus can be carried more widely by air pollution.
“I am a scientist and I am worried when I don’t know,” he told The Guardian. “If we know, we can find a solution. But if we don’t know, we can only suffer the consequences.”
Jonathan Reid, a Bristol University professor researching airborne transmission of coronavirus, told The Guardian, “It is perhaps not surprising that while suspended in air, the small droplets could combine with background urban particles and be carried around.”
Earlier studies have found that people exposed to higher levels of air pollution were more likely to die from COVID-19.
Comments (33)
Zzzzzzzzz,,,,,,,,,,
Nap time?
Are they following social distancing, etc... The masks should help filtering out the particles somewhat though.
@ chat? perhaps. Cut-and-paste recitals make for such an event.
Sure, but there is no reason to disrespect the blogger.
If it's something you dislike, the best advise is to avoid it... like the flu
If you just want to whine, take a hike elsewhere.
I now bestow rights to Chat to ask questions of candychild
I remember the miners talking about the canary in the coal mine. They used to take caged canaries with them in the mine. So I'll let the birds be my canary, if they start dropping dead then I'll know.
Candy is not of right mind...he supports Lind...which tells you of his mentality...just ignore him...
Public forums are subject to critique. If not so, why make them public?
candykid,
What right have you to ask of me?
You did.
As a responsible member of the CS community, I politely hinted that you might be a bit grumpy... or immature in your comment to Jim's blog.
It was unwarranted and immature swipe to his blog.
Plus, I've seen styrafoam less dull.
No... it WAS me.
Zzzzzzzzz,,,,,,,,,, came first. I asked if it was nap time.
Already explained.
Too funny...
I would think cats are tougher than birds.
Seriously, what I meant, was that several cats have gotten the disease, both house cats and a tiger.
I haven't read anything that says birds get it. My feeling is that cat lungs, since they are mammals, are a lot more like our lungs and would likely be a better indicator.
The only thing I could figure was I had a lid on the litter box and I used clay litter, and he used to stay in there forever digging and covering up. He loved his litter box and wouldn't let my other cat near it. So I got 2, now I have tops off..I don't want that to happen again..it was horrible.
We will continue to learn more about it......
We all should keep safe and don't jump on first suggestions as things change daily.