COVID-19: HOW TO CATCH IT (AND HOW TO AVOID IT)

The pub empty last Wednesday

On Christmas Eve, I went to a pub for a drink and to meet friends.  It was raining.  The outdoor area we normally use is well-ventilated but the covered seating was full.  Another covered area was dry, but these tables were not being served by the table-ordering system.  

The choice was sit inside the pub proper, or go home. My pals had chosen the latter.  There was one empty table that was a couple of metres away from anybody else.  Should be OK.  I knew it was a risk.  But let's take it.

On Boxing Day morning, the LFT came up positive. Given how easily Omicron spreads, and how quickly it can replicate in the body, it is almost certain that I caught Conid-19 on Christmas Eve in that pub.

How?  After we'd been told about social distancing and the 2-metre rule, it turns out that this advice was erroneous.  With Omicron (and Delta) so prevalent, it is now so easy to catch COVID simply by being indoors with other people.  Especially if they are laughing and shouting, spreading virus-laden droplets and smaller 'aerosols' far into the air.

This article describes the battle to get COVID's primary means of transmission, through the air, recognised.  That 2 metres is simply not enough.  Any area needs to be well-ventilated, so any virus-laden droplets and aerosols are blown away.  My table in the pub was not well ventilated.  I paid the price..