As the battle against COVID-19 continues, many businesses and schools have implemented clear plastic barriers in an effort to mitigate the virus’s spread. However, recent research suggests that these dividers may be doing more harm than good. According to a report by The New York Times, these barriers often disrupt proper airflow and can create false security among individuals.
Experts studying airflow and aerosols indicate that while the barriers can block larger droplets from sneezes or coughs, they fail to effectively contain the smaller aerosol particles that primarily transmit COVID-19. In fact, scientists warn that these barriers could lead to the accumulation of airborne particles in “dead zones,” where ventilation is severely hindered. Linsey Marr, a prominent civil and environmental engineering professor at Virginia Tech, stated, “If you have a forest of barriers in a classroom, it’s going to interfere with proper ventilation of that room.”
Research has shown that barriers in classrooms and offices might actually increase the risk of virus transmission. A study from Johns Hopkins linked desk screens in classrooms to a heightened risk of infection, while another study found that plexiglass dividers in offices impeded airflow. Furthermore, a study conducted in Georgia revealed that such barriers had little impact on COVID-19 spread compared to improvements in ventilation and the use of masks.
In a concerning finding, a study from 2014 indicated that office cubicle dividers were factors in the transmission of tuberculosis during an outbreak in Australia. A British study also demonstrated that while barriers might protect against larger particles during a cough, they do not effectively trap smaller particles emitted while speaking, allowing them to float around and pose a risk to others in the room.
With this new information, organizations may need to reconsider their use of plastic barriers in workplaces and schools. For more insights on the emotional fatigue stemming from these ongoing challenges, check out this post about emotional fatigue. Additionally, for valuable tips on healthy foods for babies, visit this authoritative source. For those seeking expert advice on pregnancy and home insemination, this resource is highly recommended.
Summary
Recent research indicates that plastic barriers intended to mitigate COVID-19 may actually worsen the situation by impeding airflow and creating concentrated areas of airborne particles. Experts suggest that these barriers can mislead people into a false sense of security, as they primarily block larger droplets but not the aerosol particles that facilitate virus transmission. Organizations may need to rethink their strategies for ensuring safety in shared spaces.