Only a glance and COVID-19 swallowed a whole year, transforming itself into a massive threat to humankind. The mystery of its origin remains undiscovered, and transmission routes, unclear. The two of the main routes to infection understood so far, 1) Direct contact with an object that has the virus, and 2) Indirect contact, inhaling droplets radiated from sneezes and cough of an infected individual.
However, In a recent study, The journal “Aerosol Science and Technology" reported two possible modes of COVID 19 aerosols transmission; 1) during a sneeze or a cough (>5 μm in diameter), and 2) Individuals can inhale microscopic aerosol particles (<5 μm) and suspends in the air (airborne) for several hours.
Another study from United State National Academy of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine, found that even breathing or talking can deliver tiny particles called “Bioaerosols", carrying the virus, SARS-CoV-2. Also, it highlights the ability of the virus to remain suspended in the air via the ultrafine mist, produced from the exhale of an infected individual. In another report, Toho University, Japan describes the third mechanism of transmission of the virus, through microdroplets infection.
All the pieces of evidence suggest COVID-19 could turn out to be airborne, but what remains uncertain, is the type of mask one should wear, or whether talking less could help in slowing down the spread- sounds crazy, right! As of now, N95 mask could be the only mask capable of stopping virus particle size as small 0.3 microns, but again the quality matters. In this case, the government must come out with a solution similar to distributing masks through the approved centres at a nominal charge, guaranteeing the quality and efficiency. Even though SARS COV-2 is about 0.125 microns, yet, N95 mask with no valves in it, could be the only best option people might have to contain the disease, and self-protection. However, few news channels and media claims that N95 masks are not efficient in stopping COVID-19- yes, it can't stop the virus only if it flies itself or comes attached to aerosols of lesser than 0.3 microns - know the facts. Everything, including physical-distance, hand wash and lockdown would be an obsolete solution, only if it is airborne. The bigger the threat to the humankind, the larger the urgency for a vaccine would be.