Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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I enjoyed an article on the New York Times website on 15 May that set out precisely how much safer it is to be outside. We already know that sun kills the virus, but the kind of statistics we have not been told before is that for example out of a study done in China out of 7,300 cases only 1 infection was connected to an outdoor transmission. As they say, your risks of catching it outdoors are not zero, but they are way lower than inside. I think when they say they are lower they should actually tell the truth - which is that they are miniscule.
We all hear about how it spreads in the air and you can catch the virus through the wind, but that too is somewhat of an exaggeration. To quote a physicist that they quoted in the article, Eugene Chudnovsky, "a single virus will not make anyone sick; it will be immediately destroyed by the immune system. The belief is that one needs a few hundred to a few thousand of SARS-CoV-2 viruses to overwhelm the immune response." In short, just catching a small bit of the virus from somebody who runs past you is unlikely to infect you, but if you are in a closed space, such as a hospital surgery, then yes, there is every chance that by breathing in continuous parts of the virus, as many nurses and doctors do, will make you ill. We must all appreciate how much risk those Doctors and nurses put themselves through compared to the rest of us.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Monday 25-May-20
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Comments
Prishani said:
on Wednesday 24-Jun-20 04:37 PM
I think at this stage everybody would do anything to have more time outdoors in the sun! It’s winter now so I doubt many people will be out and about but at least even on winter days we have some sunlight to enjoy!
Melandre' said:
on Friday 19-Jun-20 10:40 AM
Our bodies need to be exposed to the bacteria outside, the fresh air, and sun. It is what builds up our immune systems. I know that this pandemic has everyone living in fear to expose themselves to the world outside, but keeping yourself couped up inside will do absolutely no good to your immune system, infact it would make your immune system very weak, leaving you more susceptible to contracting any infection/ disease
Joyce said:
on Wednesday 17-Jun-20 12:48 PM
I think being outside is where fresh air is compare to being indoor, think that the sun is part of human's healthy life.
Michelle D said:
on Tuesday 09-Jun-20 04:46 PM
I think it is quite difficult to stay safe in a confined space with others. I mean even practicing distancing, sanitizing and wearing a mask can only protect you so much as all it takes is one cough onto a surface and one touch of the face and you'll be infected. Which is most likely why so many healthcare workers get infected.
Bianca Taljaard said:
on Thursday 04-Jun-20 03:51 PM
The virus is not told where to go, you can get it everywhere. Can't stand a room with no open windows, love fresh air.
Roxanne said:
on Thursday 04-Jun-20 03:22 PM
Fresh air and sun is very good for you at all times and it is a natural medicine. If i could work outside all day i would.
Cornelie said:
on Thursday 04-Jun-20 10:38 AM
I would also think that the closer you are to each the easier it is to get the virus.
Mathilda said:
on Thursday 04-Jun-20 10:03 AM
Fresh Air and Sunlight is always a good idea.
People need sunlight and bacteria, locking yourself in your house living like bubble boy will do more harm than good.
I read an article by Mary Jo DiLonardo saying that " There's a belief that says exposing people, especially babies and young children to different kinds of germs early in life can keep them from developing illnesses like asthma, allergies, and other diseases that affect the immune system. The theory, called the “hygiene hypothesis,” is that our bodies need "practice" fighting germs"
I can just think how many children are not getting these "practice" fighting germs" at the moment because obviously they are being kept in the house and not even playing outside because of COVID.
So will this cause there to be a generation with a Weakened Immune System?
Brenda Strydom said:
on Tuesday 02-Jun-20 08:31 AM
We all understand that we can get the virus outside,But it is good to be outside to get sun light and fresh air. Healthcare workers deserve much praise from all of us they are putting their lives at risk.
Thabitha said:
on Tuesday 02-Jun-20 07:37 AM
We really appreciate what our doctors and nurses doing their job is the most painful and stressful job ever, what makes it sad is they risk their health for people who are less responsible.
Bianca Niemann said:
on Monday 01-Jun-20 11:38 AM
I must say that although this virus is still frightening that this might actually make me feel a bit better about it. This is all the more reason to spend some time outside getting fresh air.
Victoria said:
on Monday 01-Jun-20 10:50 AM
I agree that it would be harder for the virus to spread when you outside not too say you won't get the virus outside but definitely easier to get the virus inside a closed area. I think Doctors and Nurses need to be appreciated more because of what they do for all of us.
Sujata said:
on Monday 01-Jun-20 09:46 AM
Any closed space with little to no ventilation will promote the spread of the infection hence it seems fairly logical and straight forward that being outdoors limits the risk of infection.
Dasanya said:
on Friday 29-May-20 04:52 PM
This article makes sense as in any closed environment it is much easier to catch a virus whereas outside it would seem a little harder to just catch the virus by someone jogging or walking past you. I think our healthcare workers deserve much praise going out and assisting those with the virus & putting their lives at risk.
Daniella said:
on Friday 29-May-20 01:53 PM
Sun and fresh air is always good for everyone enclosed spaces aren't the best places to be if the virus can be transmitted through the air. all the hard work the Doctors and nurses are currently going through is commendable.
thembi said:
on Friday 29-May-20 01:40 PM
It is a possibility to catch virus but we cannot just sit and wait because we donot want it. I appreciate the doctors and nurses, they help alot
sandra said:
on Friday 29-May-20 01:39 PM
Yes, you can catch the virus outside, but how long must we be in a little bubble and live in fear. It will take a while before a vaccination is found and it will be impossible to stay inside
Danielle said:
on Thursday 28-May-20 04:33 PM
Being outside is important it has already been proven that sunlight helps you body to produce vitamin D. Being out also allow you to keep fit and stay healthy.
Megan said:
on Thursday 28-May-20 11:40 AM
Fresh air always does the body good, during this lockdown we've been lucky to have the sun out most days, so at least we could keep a little warm whilst getting fresh air. I do think people need to appreciate healthcare providers more and the lengths the stuff in the hospitals and doctors rooms go to keep the areas clean for anyone, with or without the virus who comes in. I wish things could always be this clean.
Melissa van Tellingen said:
on Thursday 28-May-20 09:49 AM
During the lockdown level 5 I made sure that my daughter and I play outside in the sun at the end of the day. It's a nice way to unwind and also get rid of some stress. I can't ait for things to go back to normal so that we can go to the park without facemasks, play and not worry about this virus.
Bronwyn said:
on Thursday 28-May-20 09:23 AM
This is a interesting read, I will be spending some more time outside now instead of being inside the house all the time,
Clare said:
on Thursday 28-May-20 08:59 AM
I think people locking themselves inside their homes is going to do more damage to their immune system, as they are keeping away from all virus and its not really a good thing because, when you do go out it will attack you quicker and stronger. Being outside is important and get son intake is very important it has already been proven that sunlight helps you body to produce vitamin D which is very important for you.
Karien said:
on Thursday 28-May-20 08:47 AM
Getting sun each day is quite important, and I'm sure that this new finding will make people caught inside during lockdown feel more comfortable to go outside and get some sun.
The sun is the best source of vitamin D, and vitamin D is essential and for sustaining optimal health.
Kayla said:
on Thursday 28-May-20 08:44 AM
It makes sense that your chance is lower outside. They always said that fresh air does you good. I think that ventilation in enclosed spaces is probably best. Right now, Nurses and Doctors are our Hero's as each day they endanger themselves to save lives.
Claudia B said:
on Thursday 28-May-20 07:49 AM
it's good to be outside in the sun to know that the sun kills the virus,some fresh air is always good for you. knowing that winter is coming, the virus will spread more. everyone will need to be more careful.
fikile said:
on Wednesday 27-May-20 10:16 AM
It is very scary to think that you can get infected indoor than outdoors. It is more scary to know that it is almost winter and it is going to be cold and the fact that the virus likes cold places and that makes it worse. The question is are we ready for the winter or the fact that the virus is going to spread even more than it has now
Melissa said:
on Tuesday 26-May-20 02:32 PM
I agree that your risk of getting the virus outside is lower than inside, because if you are inside there is not very much ventilation and everyone is breathing in the same air. The sun is good for a person's health and well-being
brumilde said:
on Tuesday 26-May-20 09:54 AM
A little bit of Vitamin D is very good for each and every person. Also it is very good for the soul to get some fresh air as they would say. Being cooked up in your home is not healthy. Always be safe though and wear a mask
Ziyanda said:
on Monday 25-May-20 03:25 PM
This is definitely interesting to read and I think the Doctors and Nurses should be appreciated more and take extra care of themselves. I think they should let us go out!
Alexis said:
on Monday 25-May-20 12:54 PM
I have always believed in having as much fresh air as possible, even in the middle of winter, there is always a window open. I feel that the more space there is, the ;less likely it is to contract something. The issue with being indoors and with other people though, is that there will always be a complaint and that they would rather prefer to stay as cosy as possible regardless of the implications
Michelle Smillie said:
on Monday 25-May-20 12:35 PM
Sunshine and fresh air have so many benefits for a person's well-being, and hopefully news like this will urge people to spend more time outside.
Chante said:
on Monday 25-May-20 12:06 PM
I have read multiple articles where it is written that it is much better to go outside and take in some fresh air rather than staying cooped up in your house until this virus settles down. I believe this is true, there is nothing better than to feel some sunshine on your skin especially during the winter time. I truly respect every essential worker, every Doctor and every nurse doing their jobs and battling against this virus one day at a time - they are true warriors during this time and truly deserve a lot of appreciation.
Nicolene said:
on Monday 25-May-20 11:03 AM
Very interesting. I can imagine that the risk goes down with fresh air and more space between people. Going outside is important for our health. I will loose it to stay indoors all day every day during quarantine. I salute all Doctors and nurses that put themselves and their families at risk to save us.
Henrietta said:
on Monday 25-May-20 10:45 AM
It does make more sense to be outside than locked indoors, outside with sunlight and wind the virus has less chance to catch you that indoors. I agree we must appreciate what the doctors and nurses go through even the retirement villages. No all of them has the opportunity do go outdoors.
Kendall said:
on Monday 25-May-20 09:45 AM
This was interesting to read. It will be a little bit more difficult to spend more time outside now that winter is approaching and the apparent cold front coming. I find myself not wanting to go out as much during the winter months. I do however enjoy that warm winter sun in the afternoons.
Lucretia said:
on Monday 25-May-20 09:42 AM
I do believe that not many people understand the whole covid spreading. I had our security company by me in the week to test my security system and only when we were chatting about the way it spreads did he say, "oh so that is how it spreads, I was wondering why they keep saying don't touch your face". I do see people jogging outside past my place with only one person with a mask and then there are others who jog in a group and all their masks are below the nose, so really, do people really understand the spread of the virus........
Courtney said:
on Monday 25-May-20 09:24 AM
I love being outside so this is good news. I Think everyone is going to get a nice tan after spending time in the sun.
Natasha said:
on Monday 25-May-20 09:20 AM
Well i would prefer to be outside that in doors. Fresh air Sunlight its amazing and if it less likely to catch it when your outside then ill make sure i spend more time outside then in doors.
Jessica said:
on Monday 25-May-20 09:15 AM
Well fresh air is probably the best for anyone and everyone. Also they say the heat kills the virus so why are they trying to keep people in doors? I however do tend to keep myself and my family at home. We go outside in our yard to catch some sun everyday but I haven't let my kids leave the house at all. I am worried about winter coming now.
Patrick Sedutla. said:
on Monday 25-May-20 09:12 AM
The article is quite interesting.As soon as the virus subsides drastically, the world should observe a moment of silence for all health workers. They go through a lot to safe our lives.
david said:
on Monday 25-May-20 08:02 AM
so far we have learned that watching your weight and exercising outdoors will keep you healthy and alive.
who woulda thunk it?
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
