The thing I love (and occasionally hate) about Joe Biden is his tendency to talk off script, as he did this week when he advised commuters to stay out of confined spaces like subways and airplanes.
Although Biden later retracted his statement, according to the National Research Council, seems to be spot-on, at least where airplanes are concerned. From the NRC’s manual, ” THE AIRLINER CABIN ENVIRONMENT AND THE HEALTH OF PASSENGERS AND CREW” (bolds and caps theirs):
“Coughing and sneezing produce the biologically richest aerosols [i.e. containing the most bacteria and viruses]. A sneeze produces very large droplets (200 microns and larger). Immediately on release, respiratory droplets begin to dry. Many become droplet nuclei, which are very small, remain airborne for long periods, and […] can remain infective for hours or even days.”
“Filters currently used in aircraft ventilation systems probably remove only a very small fraction of the continually produced bioaerosols.”
“Data from doctors’ offices and schools clearly indicate that viruses can be circulated through ventilation systems, remain viable, and infect people who have no physical contact with the source. In aircraft cabins, this effect might be augmented by the low relative humidity, which would prolong the life of the airborne viruses. “
The available evidence suggests “microbiologic air contaminents” circulate through the cabin and into the cockpit, and concentrations are highest before take off and during descent and landing.
Via Infrastructurist.
Thanks for reminding me why I really hate planes.
No one’s disputing the fact that planes are germ-ridden environments. But the government shouldn’t immediately go to DEFCON 1 (or, the CDC equivalent) in the face of any threat of disease. They advise levels of precaution based on the perceived risk of an epidemic. And, if the CDC/HSA/whatever says that it isn’t yet serious enough to warrant restricting travel, then the VP shouldn’t go and contradict them. It creates confusion, unnecessary fear, and a negative impact on the economy.
Without a microscope it is difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish droplets of sputum, spit and mucus from droplets of red wine.
I agree with you Erica.
In an airplane it’s ALWAYS flu season: dry, cool, packed, with poor ventilation. Take any theory about why flu is seasonal and an airplane satisfies its conditions. It’s hard to imagine a worse place to be. Put a couple of infected people on long enough flight and you’ve got an infected airplane. Add in some transfers to other longish flights and you’ve got a lot of virus propogation.
“Enough is enough! I have had it with these monkey fighting h1n1s on this Monday to Friday plane!”
duh
And advising people who aren’t feeling well to forgo the trip is a fine suggestion, but how likely is that, if they’ve paid hundreds of dollars and possibly planned this trip for weeks, if not months.
Quit trying to ruin our infrastrcture you dim wit. Stop propagating this nonsense. Are you trying to topple airlines and those who build them?
I hate all these people who talk off scripts.
It just reminds me of when Fnarf was going on about how he likes planes.
joe biden was wrong, and so is this report — at least in reference to the flu.
influenza is transmitted by close contact (respiratory droplets) and is not transmissible via droplet nuclei. this report does not specify which organisms it’s referring to –just “microbiologic air contaminants” — and seems to presume they all behave in the same manner, but they do not.
influenza requires close contact or secondary contact through touching objects like doorknobs and keyboards. it is susceptible to desication and not transmissible through long distance or re-circulated air. you can still catch it on a plane — by sitting next to a sick person, or touching contaminated objects — but not in the manner this report suggests.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/security/o…
#6 FTW. I LMAO with that one.
Also. I wonder how well that “Airborne” medicine works in conditions like Flus On A Plane?