Buckeye

* Indoor transmission of sars-cov-2 can take place by large respiratory droplets (larger than about 100 microns and fall to ground before drying), small respiratory droplets (less than 5microns and can become aerosolized), and fomites(transmission from contaminated surfaces. Transmission of aerosols in indoor environments was described in recent research paper (see reference refered to below).The research found significant reduction by using sufficient and effective ventilation, particle filtration of air (hepa filters in the hvac system), air disinfection by uvc lights in air ducts, avoiding air recirculation and avoiding overcrowding of indoor spaces. In addition to these engineering Controls, the traditional personal controls (social distancing, hand hygiene, ) are used. *These recent research findings are in"How can airborne transmission of Covid-19 indoors be minimized" Environmental int 2020 sep. 142: PI's are Lidia Morawska, Julian W Tang,and Maosheng Yao. Detailed advise on specifics of engineering Controls of indoor built environment can be found at the web site of American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-conditioning Engineers(ASHRAE). This research is a good example of interdisciplinary collaboration between mechanical engineers and microbiolgists, and could save lives.

Deforestation is another factor that can lead to new pandemics. This can result in greater contact between humans and animals. Viral spillover has more of an opportunity to occur as animals seek to find new habitats have more contact with people. We all have seen urban racoons, and read about rabid racoons on rare occasions infecting people.

I'm a vegatarian, with proper diet planning, a person can get all the essential nutrients. Applied microbiology will never completely win our never ending war against infectious Disease but we can make health system a lot safer than it is now. I suggest everyone news Google sars-cov-2, every day to follow daily advances in the pandemic struggle.

The specific reference regarding patient zero and November comes from a newly released book on the subject:"How to survive a pandemic "by Michael Greger MD I highly recommend it. I've started the chapter on H5N1, which has a 50% case fatality rate. The concern is that H5N1 is several mutations away from becoming as transmissible as sars-cov-2 is now. Greger speculates on the consequences that would follow from such a mutation (spoiler alert) it 's not good.

Contracting infections can be minimized or even totally avoided in most cases. as an example, mosquito borne infections: mosquito netting impregnated with insecticide, draining wet mosquito breeding areas,using insect repellent, and stocking small ponds with fish that eat mosquitoes larvae . The US had malaria in the past and it was brought under control. Controlling future pandemics falls under the responsibility of the health dept. Early in my career I was a microbiolgist at the Ohio dept of health, before I went back to Ohio State and got my masters. Public health might not be able to completely eliminate all infectious diseases, but that doesn't mean we all shouldn't help our health depts do the best that they can to help all of us to stay safe.

Regarding sars-cov-2, the origin is referenced in "European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and infectious Disease 2020 Apr24 1-7 Author Huihui Wang who states"Corona virus disease first emerged in Hubei province China in Dec 2019. Regarding the role of spillover in sparking the next pandemic, reference is " Infection Genetics, and Evolution"2016 March:volume 38 44-46 author James E Hollenbeck I recommend reading How to survive a pandemic by Michael Gerber MD( newly released), "Spillover Animal Infections and the next Human Pandemic" by David Quammen.",Pandemic:How Climate, the environment, and Superbugs increase the risk. I suggest people google "wet markets" and click on image, also click on CAFO and click on image. Safe and responsible agricultural practices should be followed by producers and consumers. I'm a retired microbiolgist (BS, MS).

About 70% of microbial diseases are caused by zoonotic pathogens. These pathogens cause human disease when spillover occurs from the animal host to a human host. Certain environments are conducive to bringing about spillover events. Environments which bring humans into close contact with animals under unsanitary and unhygienic conditions can cause viral spillover. The current global pandemic caused by Sars-cov-2 got it's start about the middle of last November when patient zero contracted an infection from a wet market in Wuhan province when he purchased a pangolin from a wet market which he had for dinner. What can we do to prevent the next global pandemic? What environmental regulations can be implemented to prevent viral spill over which could cause the next global pandemic?