HEALTH

Current Physical Distancing Measures Are Based on 'Outdated Science', Say
Researchers

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   28 AUGUST 2020

   A one-size-fits-all measure for physical distancing in the time of
   COVID-19 fails to account for numerous factors that could spread the
   virus further, more and more experts are coming to agree.
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   Right now, they explain, the rules we have don't take into account
   subtle factors like ventilation, time spent together, indoor or outdoor
   settings, mask use, or the type of social activity occurring - all of
   which could impact the spread of the coronavirus.

   What's more, distancing rules often don't consider the size of airborne
   droplets, how much virus the droplets can carry, or how susceptible
   others are to these viral loads.
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   argue we are likely not being wary enough.

   "Instead of single, fixed physical distance rules, we propose graded
   recommendations that better reflect the multiple factors that combine
   to determine risk," the authors of the new analysis write.
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   "This would provide greater protection in the highest risk settings but
   also greater freedom in lower risk settings, potentially enabling a
   return towards normality in some aspects of social and economic life."

   The review joins several other recent critiques of current social
   distancing rules. In July, hundreds of scientists co-wrote a comment
   piece urging the World Health Organisation (WHO) to reconsider its
   advice to "maintain at least one metre (three feet) distance between
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   infection.

   A systematic review of social distancing measures, commissioned by the
   WHO, found that a metre or more of separation could decrease
   transmission risk by roughly 10 percent. Yet scientists in the UK argue
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   actually found to have infected at least 32 other singers, and possibly
   20 more cases yet to be confirmed, even though the choir members were
   socially distancing.

   These documented outbreaks require an explanation, the authors argue,
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   in riskier situations.

   "Physical distancing should be seen as only one part of a wider public
   health approach to containing the COVID-19 pandemic," the new analysis
   concludes.