Updated scientific information re social distancing

[kestrell]

Turns out the six feet guideline was based on 1930s science, pre-fluid mechanics, and the cold dry winter environments indoors mean droplets evaporate more slowly
https://scitechdaily.com/social-distancing-isnt-enough-to-prevent-infection-how-to-detect-covid-19-super-spreaders/

Comments

[siderea]

What I find really fascinating about these results, in an academic way, is that for decades I have attempted to explain to otherwise intelligent people, people with college degrees, that if you can smell something, such as perfume, or cigarette smoke, that means molecules are drifting toward you and into your nose, and thus your respiratory system.

So much this. Quoting for truth and beauty and also so I get a copy in my email. You mind if I quote this as an example of the phenomenon if I write about it?

[kestrell]

I don't mind at all, please do use it.

[kestrell]

I think a lot of the contagion incomprehension comes down to the fact that many, many people still don't 100% believe that things that they can't see actually exist. If they can't see the perfume droplets, the particples in the cigarette smoke, the germs when someone coughs, well, then, those things can't possibly exist in clouds of molecules that have any real force, physical or consequential. And certainly the people you like and identify with, share similar characteristics with, respect, etc., they're "clean," undiseased, and as uncontaminated/uncorrupted, as you yourself are.

Miasma theory, on the other hand, is something they can believe in because the idea that certain people, people you already regard with suspicion, such as people of color, foreigners, or people with disabilities, are already considered to be "unclean," and miasma theory fits very neatly into that kind of mindset.

I've heard from people with disabilities, especially those with wheelchairs and/or oxygen tanks, who say they have no problem with social distancing because non-disabled people will cross the street in order not to be anywhere near them. I can't help but think that this demonstrates that ancient stereotypes of PWD as "unclean" is very much thriving in our current culture.