How does Covid-19 spread? It is factual that the virus is found in the respiratory system and spreads from one person to another through sneezing and coughing. Now other people are busy looking into other ways through which the virus may be spreading.
It seems that top government officials are worried that the virus may be transmitted through farting. One minister who preferred his name to remain anonymous told the Telegraph newspaper in Britain. He stated that there is ‘credible-looking stuff on it’ from other countries, including tangible evidence of a ‘genomical-linked tracing connection between two individuals from a [lavatory] cubicle in Australia’.
When asked for comment on this matter, the spokesperson of the British Prime stated that his boss ‘keeps the latest scientific evidence under review’.
So far, so good there is no evidence linking farting and Covid-19. However, some pundits feel that the theory is not as far-fetched as it might sound.
In September 2020, some experts at an Indian University published a study looking at alternative transmission routes. They wrote that ‘farts do have the tendency to carry microparticles which have the capacity to spread bacteria.’
Elsewhere a Chinese study had also pointed out that it is possible to transmit the virus through farts but in relieve they also added that pants act as a barrier in transmission of the virus.
There are also studies looking into whether the virus can be detected in urine and feces including for people who are don’t have any symptoms. Virologists are researching if the virus can be spread through the public bathrooms.
It is reassuring to learn that experts from MIT concluded that the possibility of transmitting the virus through the bathroom is ‘negligible’ and advises that ‘flush and rush’ is the best strategy in any public rest room at any time including beyond the pandemic.
It’s a high time that experts also incorporate waster water testing into their strategy in virus surveillance. They should more regularly sample and test sewerage water. In Netherlands, officials are a step ahead. They have made publicly available the findings from their wastewater analysis.
The jury is still out on whether corona virus can spread through farting! To be safe, make sure there is proper ventilation in all crowded places now more than ever before.
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