Very interesting article! One avenue I didn't see mentioned: it's possible to reduce the count of high-touch surfaces to address by replacing interfaces with a no-touch interface, for example by using voice or gesture controlled switches/devices. These are not necessarily cost-competitive today with the options detailed in the article but are likely to come down in price and have additional benefits and desirable characteristics. I expect such devices will become more widespread in the future independent of their hygienic benefits.
Regarding the SARS transmission via bathroom vents, why assume fomites were involved? Direct spread by aerosols seems like the more parsimonious explanation.
I'm not saying coronaviruses can't spread by fomites, it's just that there's likely a better example to use.
That line of the piece came directly from an investigation into this SARS outbreak in Amoy Gardens, which concluded that fomites contributed to many of the infections. Aerosols, of course, also played a role.
"three megajoules of energy per square centimeter of surface"
Is that a typo? Because that's a lot of energy, and also isn't a measure of energy per time (which could be reasonable, but seems unlikely from context?).
Hey Sam, thanks for your comment. You're right. It was not three megajoules, but rather three millijoules. We've issued a correction and apologize for the error.
Also, there needs to be more study of the inhibitory effects on microbial growth by both ultrasound and infrasound at the optimal frequencies. A fairly economical application if one can remove humans from treated rooms...
Very interesting article! One avenue I didn't see mentioned: it's possible to reduce the count of high-touch surfaces to address by replacing interfaces with a no-touch interface, for example by using voice or gesture controlled switches/devices. These are not necessarily cost-competitive today with the options detailed in the article but are likely to come down in price and have additional benefits and desirable characteristics. I expect such devices will become more widespread in the future independent of their hygienic benefits.
Regarding the SARS transmission via bathroom vents, why assume fomites were involved? Direct spread by aerosols seems like the more parsimonious explanation.
I'm not saying coronaviruses can't spread by fomites, it's just that there's likely a better example to use.
That line of the piece came directly from an investigation into this SARS outbreak in Amoy Gardens, which concluded that fomites contributed to many of the infections. Aerosols, of course, also played a role.
"three megajoules of energy per square centimeter of surface"
Is that a typo? Because that's a lot of energy, and also isn't a measure of energy per time (which could be reasonable, but seems unlikely from context?).
Hey Sam, thanks for your comment. You're right. It was not three megajoules, but rather three millijoules. We've issued a correction and apologize for the error.
Also, there needs to be more study of the inhibitory effects on microbial growth by both ultrasound and infrasound at the optimal frequencies. A fairly economical application if one can remove humans from treated rooms...