Topic: Droplets

Health experts warned that the use of tear gas during protests could increase COVID-19 transmission by causing people to cough and sneeze. In Miami Beach, reopening plans were postponed due to civil unrest. Political commentators suggested that the combination of a pandemic and racial division provided an opportunity for Russian adversaries to sow further discord in the United States.

Experts from Virginia Tech and UMass Dartmouth explain the difference between large respiratory droplets and microscopic aerosols. While any face covering can stop large droplets, higher-quality masks like N95s or South Korean KF94s are required to filter aerosols. The public is advised to look for ASTM ratings on surgical masks to ensure they meet filtration standards.

Bill Nye "The Science Guy" presents a video demonstration on the effectiveness of masks in trapping "droplets, spit, and snot." The hosts find the presentation simplistic and note the use of "puss" as a recurring theme in their critique of pandemic messaging.

The United Arab Emirates has approved a Chinese-made vaccine for emergency use and is reportedly requiring foreign contractors to "volunteer" for the shot. Additionally, the hosts debated the effectiveness of blue medical masks, arguing that most air bypasses the filter and vents out the sides, steaming up glasses.

The hosts revisit the debate over aerosol versus droplet transmission of SARS-CoV-2. After receiving feedback from producers, they acknowledge that in low-humidity environments, micro-droplets can stay airborne for long periods. Conversely, high humidity causes moisture to "glom on" to particles and drop them to the ground. This technical clarification resolves a previous disagreement between the hosts.

A March 6, 2020, clip of Dr. Anthony Fauci is reviewed where he explicitly advised the public against walking around with masks. Fauci originally argued that masks provide a false sense of security and lead to unintended consequences like face-touching. The hosts highlight the shift from this scientific stance to the current universal masking recommendations.