To strengthen the battle against the Coronavirus pandemic, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the government has issued a set of new guidelines. The government has suggested double masking,
sanitation, ventilation and social distancing as ways to ‘crush’ the raging pandemic.
The advisory issued by Union Government’s principal adviser K Vijay Raghavan’s office says, “Stop the Transmission, Crush the Pandemic- Masks, distance, sanitation and ventilation to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus.”
“As the pandemic rages in India, we need to once again remember that simple tools and practices can reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Covid19 home testing kit approved by ICMR for symptomatic patients and close contacts of patients” read the advisory.
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How ventilation plays a critical role against Covid
Ventilation means introducing clean air into space and removing the stale air to maintain air quality.
The advisory suggests the ventilation can decreases the risk of spread, “Just as smells can be diluted from the air through opening windows and doors and using exhaust systems.” It says that ventilated spaces with improved directional airflow decrease the accumulated virus in the air.
It further stated, “Ventilation is a community defence that protects all of us at home or work. Introducing outdoor air in offices, homes and larger public spaces is advised. Measures to improve ventilation in these spaces must be taken up on urgent priority in urban and rural areas alike, recommendations for hutments, homes, offices and large centralized buildings are given.”
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How to ventilate a room
A natural way to ventilate the rooms is by opening windows and doors. It is advised to open windows/ doors whenever you are inside with other people. Besides, ventilation or air-conditioning systems can maintain indoor air temperature and humidity. With help of proper ventilation, the risk of spread of Covid 19 can be reduced.
Other measures in Advisory
The Centre’s advisory also suggests that people who asymptomatic can spread the virus. Thus people should wear double masks or N95 masks.
“The SARS-CoV-2 virus infects a human host where it can multiply. In the absence of the host, it can not survive. Stopping the transmission of the virus from a person to another person will decrease the infection rate to a level where it can eventually die.”