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Q&A: Airborne COVID-19 spread possible, risky in some settings – Al Jazeera English

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The new coronavirus can possibly be transmitted through the air in crowded indoor settings with poor ventilation such as restaurants, gyms, night clubs and offices, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said, as lockdown restrictions are being eased globally.

The health agency on Thursday published an updated scientific brief on the different modes of transmission of COVID-19, the highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, identifying the different locations and circumstances of virus spread.

According to the WHO, the coronavirus is primarily transmitted by droplets through direct or close contact with an infected person and indirect contact through contaminated surfaces, also known as fomite transmission.

But the possibility of airborne transmission, combined with droplet transmission, cannot be ruled out in specific settings and more research is needed, it said.

In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, the WHO’s technical lead on COVID-19, Maria Van Kerkhove, and the agency’s chief scientist, Soumya Swaminathan, talked about the possible ways of COVID-19 transmission, the risks and the preventive measures.

Al Jazeera: Can you explain how airborne transmission takes place exactly and under what circumstances and environments does it pose a higher risk?

Maria Van Kerkhove: Airborne transmission has to do with the size of the droplets that are expelled from people, how long they can be suspended in the air and the distance they can potentially travel. Because they are lighter than respiratory droplets, they can travel through the air further than heavier droplets that tend to fall to the floor much quicker.

We know there can be aerosol transmission in healthcare settings where specific medical procedures, called aerosol generating procedures, are conducted on sick patients.

There’s also the possibility that there could be these smaller particles that come out of people’s mouths when they talk, sing and engage in fitness activities.

Soumya Swaminathan: This is not a virus that’s just floating around in the air and is going to come and infect you – it does require prolonged contact with infected people. 

We sometimes refer to these so-called airborne transmission events as super-spreading events, because in these closed environments there have been situations where people get infected – at the meat-packing plants, the choir practice, the night club, the dormitories.

These are spaces where people spend a lot of time together, in poorly ventilated settings and in close proximity. In that situation, if you have someone who is quite infectious and who is either coughing or even just singing even and talking loudly, droplet, contact and fomite transmission can occur, but small particles could be around in that air for some period of time – it’s being together in that environment that is risky.

Al Jazeera: From your research and the evidence collected, how much has the aerosol mode of transmission contributed to the pandemic so far and how do the risks of airborne spread compare with droplet transmission?

Van Kerkhove: From all the available data in all the observational and epidemiologic studies, and the experiences of member states that report to us, the predominant mode of transmission is through droplets and contact. There may be airborne transmission happening in specific closed settings but the extent of that seems to be small. However, there’s a lot of research ongoing in this area, and evidence supports that transmission is predominantly through the droplets and prolonged contact.

Al Jazeera: Is the possibility of airborne transmission a cause for additional concern for the public?

Swaminathan: It’s one more mode of [transmission]. We’ve been laying out the precautions that people need to take and also what the public health authorities need to do. With offices, workplaces and recreational places opening up, people need to remember that these are all the different modes of transmission that you need to be careful about and take precautions against.

While I think many people appreciate the importance of handwashing and respiratory etiquette, perhaps what they forget is that when they gather together in these closed and crowded settings that they can still transmit if they are not maintaining the appropriate physical distance.

This is not a virus that’s just floating around in the air and is going to come and infect you – it does require prolonged contact with infected people.

Soumya Swaminathan, WHO’s chief scientist

The first thing is to improve ventilation in closed settings like offices, shops and workplace settings. A simple way of doing this is by opening doors and windows and ensuring good air circulation.

If ventilation cannot be improved, then people should avoid such places or wear face masks when they are in close proximity to people – whether its public transport or in shops.

Al Jazeera: Are you reviewing your guidelines?

Van Kerkhove: Yes, constantly. As more information becomes available, we always look at the guidance and we aim to update all of our guidance regularly.

Swaminathan: In fact, we are working on the clinical treatment guidelines now and our guidelines’ development group people is meeting almost every day to provide an update on the use of steroids, on the use of hydroxychloroquine and other drugs.

Thanks to the huge volume of research on COVID-19, it is our endeavour to constantly keep up with emerging data, to analyse and synthesise the evidence and use that to update our guidance.

WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan attends a news conference in Geneva Switzerland [File: Fabrice Coffrini/Pool via Reuters]

Al Jazeera: Specifically for airborne transmission, what potential measures are recommended to protect yourself?

Van Kerkhove: Where we know that there could be aerosol transmission, like in medical procedures, we recommend airborne precautions. These are specific types of Personal Protective Equipment that people who are actually performing the procedure and are working in that setting have to wear.

In other situations outside of healthcare facilities, there is a comprehensive package of measures that need to be adhered to in all countries. This starts with identifying cases – symptomatic and asymptomatic – so they could be isolated and cared for quickly.

It also includes identifying the close contacts of infected people so that they could be quarantined in appropriate facilities or safely at home. It includes the use of fabric masks in specific settings where you cannot do physical distancing, where you could have crowding and poor ventilation. We also recommend the usual hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette always – and trying to avoid crowded situations, to begin with.

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Follow Saba Aziz on Twitter: @saba_aziz

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What’s the greatest holiday gift: lips, hair, skin? Give the gift of great skin this holiday season

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Give the gift of great skin this holiday season

Skinstitut Holiday Gift Kits take the stress out of gifting

Toronto, October 31, 2024 – Beauty gifts are at the top of holiday wish lists this year, and Laser Clinics Canada, a leader in advanced beauty treatments and skincare, is taking the pressure out of seasonal shopping. Today, Laser Clincs Canada announces the arrival of its 2024 Holiday Gift Kits, courtesy of Skinstitut, the exclusive skincare line of Laser Clinics Group.

In time for the busy shopping season, the limited-edition Holiday Gifts Kits are available in Laser Clinics locations in the GTA and Ottawa. Clinics are conveniently located in popular shopping centers, including Hillcrest Mall, Square One, CF Sherway Gardens, Scarborough Town Centre, Rideau Centre, Union Station and CF Markville. These limited-edition Kits are available on a first come, first served basis.

“These kits combine our best-selling products, bundled to address the most relevant skin concerns we’re seeing among our clients,” says Christina Ho, Senior Brand & LAM Manager at Laser Clinics Canada. “With several price points available, the kits offer excellent value and suit a variety of gift-giving needs, from those new to cosmeceuticals to those looking to level up their skincare routine. What’s more, these kits are priced with a savings of up to 33 per cent so gift givers can save during the holiday season.

There are two kits to select from, each designed to address key skin concerns and each with a unique theme — Brightening Basics and Hydration Heroes.

Brightening Basics is a mix of everyday essentials for glowing skin for all skin types. The bundle comes in a sleek pink, reusable case and includes three full-sized products: 200ml gentle cleanser, 50ml Moisture Defence (normal skin) and 30ml1% Hyaluronic Complex Serum. The Brightening Basics kit is available at $129, a saving of 33 per cent.

Hydration Heroes is a mix of hydration essentials and active heroes that cater to a wide variety of clients. A perfect stocking stuffer, this bundle includes four deluxe products: Moisture 15 15 ml Defence for normal skin, 10 ml 1% Hyaluronic Complex Serum, 10 ml Retinol Serum and 50 ml Expert Squalane Cleansing Oil. The kit retails at $59.

In addition to the 2024 Holiday Gifts Kits, gift givers can easily add a Laser Clinic Canada gift card to the mix. Offering flexibility, recipients can choose from a wide range of treatments offered by Laser Clinics Canada, or they can expand their collection of exclusive Skinstitut products.

 

Brightening Basics 2024 Holiday Gift Kit by Skinstitut, available exclusively at Laser Clincs Canada clinics and online at skinstitut.ca.

Hydration Heroes 2024 Holiday Gift Kit by Skinstitut – available exclusively at Laser Clincs Canada clinics and online at skinstitut.ca.

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Here is how to prepare your online accounts for when you die

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LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?

It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.

Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:

Apple

The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.

For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.

You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.

Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.

Google

Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.

When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.

You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.

There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.

Facebook and Instagram

Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.

When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.

The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.

You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.

TikTok

The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.

Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.

X

It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.

Passwords

Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?

Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.

But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.

___

Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.

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Pediatric group says doctors should regularly screen kids for reading difficulties

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The Canadian Paediatric Society says doctors should regularly screen children for reading difficulties and dyslexia, calling low literacy a “serious public health concern” that can increase the risk of other problems including anxiety, low self-esteem and behavioural issues, with lifelong consequences.

New guidance issued Wednesday says family doctors, nurses, pediatricians and other medical professionals who care for school-aged kids are in a unique position to help struggling readers access educational and specialty supports, noting that identifying problems early couldhelp kids sooner — when it’s more effective — as well as reveal other possible learning or developmental issues.

The 10 recommendations include regular screening for kids aged four to seven, especially if they belong to groups at higher risk of low literacy, including newcomers to Canada, racialized Canadians and Indigenous Peoples. The society says this can be done in a two-to-three-minute office-based assessment.

Other tips encourage doctors to look for conditions often seen among poor readers such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; to advocate for early literacy training for pediatric and family medicine residents; to liaise with schools on behalf of families seeking help; and to push provincial and territorial education ministries to integrate evidence-based phonics instruction into curriculums, starting in kindergarten.

Dr. Scott McLeod, one of the authors and chair of the society’s mental health and developmental disabilities committee, said a key goal is to catch kids who may be falling through the cracks and to better connect families to resources, including quicker targeted help from schools.

“Collaboration in this area is so key because we need to move away from the silos of: everything educational must exist within the educational portfolio,” McLeod said in an interview from Calgary, where he is a developmental pediatrician at Alberta Children’s Hospital.

“Reading, yes, it’s education, but it’s also health because we know that literacy impacts health. So I think that a statement like this opens the window to say: Yes, parents can come to their health-care provider to get advice, get recommendations, hopefully start a collaboration with school teachers.”

McLeod noted that pediatricians already look for signs of low literacy in young children by way of a commonly used tool known as the Rourke Baby Record, which offers a checklist of key topics, such as nutrition and developmental benchmarks, to cover in a well-child appointment.

But he said questions about reading could be “a standing item” in checkups and he hoped the society’s statement to medical professionals who care for children “enhances their confidence in being a strong advocate for the child” while spurring partnerships with others involved in a child’s life such as teachers and psychologists.

The guidance said pediatricians also play a key role in detecting and monitoring conditions that often coexist with difficulty reading such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, but McLeod noted that getting such specific diagnoses typically involves a referral to a specialist, during which time a child continues to struggle.

He also acknowledged that some schools can be slow to act without a specific diagnosis from a specialist, and even then a child may end up on a wait list for school interventions.

“Evidence-based reading instruction shouldn’t have to wait for some of that access to specialized assessments to occur,” he said.

“My hope is that (by) having an existing statement or document written by the Canadian Paediatric Society … we’re able to skip a few steps or have some of the early interventions present,” he said.

McLeod added that obtaining specific assessments from medical specialists is “definitely beneficial and advantageous” to know where a child is at, “but having that sort of clear, thorough assessment shouldn’t be a barrier to intervention starting.”

McLeod said the society was partly spurred to act by 2022’s “Right to Read Inquiry Report” from the Ontario Human Rights Commission, which made 157 recommendations to address inequities related to reading instruction in that province.

He called the new guidelines “a big reminder” to pediatric providers, family doctors, school teachers and psychologists of the importance of literacy.

“Early identification of reading difficulty can truly change the trajectory of a child’s life.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2024.

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