A prestigious scientific panel told the White House Wednesday night that research shows coronavirus can be spread not just by sneezes or coughs, but also just by talking, or possibly even just breathing.
“While the current [coronavirus] specific research is limited, the results of available studies are consistent with aerosolization of virus from normal breathing,” according to the letter, written by Dr. Harvey Fineberg, chairman of a committee with the National Academy of Sciences.
Fineberg told CNN that he will wear start wearing a mask when he goes to the grocery store.
“I’m not going to wear a surgical mask, because clinicians need those,” said Fineberg, former dean of the Harvard School of Public Health. “But I have a nice western-style bandana I might wear. Or I have a balaclava. I have some pretty nice options.”
NEW: Dr. Harvey Fineberg, former dean of Harvard School Of Public Health, tells U.S. Task Force reviewing masks for general public that #coronavirus could be spread by talking or breathing: https://t.co/gMsSupCiKq
— Matt McCarthy (@DrMattMcCarthy) April 2, 2020