Coronavirus: Airborne transmission cannot be ruled out, WHO says

BBC NEWS

The World Health Organization has acknowledged there is emerging evidence that the coronavirus can be spread by tiny?particles?suspended?in the air.

particle n. /?pɑ?t?kl/ a very small piece of sth 顆粒；微粒??particles of dust 灰塵

?There was not a particle of evidence (= no evidence at all) to support the case. 沒有絲毫支持這個論點的證據(jù)。

suspend v. /s??spend/ ?

1.[ usually + adv./prep. ] ~ sth/sb (from sth) (by/on sth) to hang sth from sth else 懸；掛；吊??Her body was found suspended by a rope. 人們發(fā)現(xiàn)她的尸體吊在繩子上。

2.to officially stop sth for a time; to prevent sth from being active, used, etc. for a time 暫停；中止；使暫停發(fā)揮作用（或使用等）??Production has been suspended while safety checks are carried out. 在進行安全檢查期間生產(chǎn)暫停。

3.to officially delay sth; to arrange for sth to happen later than planned 延緩；暫緩；推遲??The introduction of the new system has been suspended until next year. 新制度推遲到明年再行實施。

4.[ usually passive ] ~ sb (from sth) to officially prevent sb from doing their job, going to school, etc. for a time 使暫時停職（或停學等）??The police officer was suspended while the complaint was investigated. 投訴調查期間，這位警員被暫停職務。

5.be suspended in sth ( technical 術語 ) to float in liquid or air without moving 懸浮

The airborne transmission?could not be ruled out in crowded, closed or poorly ventilated?settings, an official said.?If the evidence is confirmed, it may affect guidelines for indoor spaces.?An open letter from more than 200 scientists had accused the WHO of underestimating the possibility of airborne transmission.

airborne transmission：空氣傳播? ?ventilate /?v?nt??le?t/ ?使通風，通風

The WHO has so far said that the virus is transmitted through droplets?when people cough or sneeze.

droplet /?dr?pl?t/ A droplet is a very small drop of liquid. 小滴?? Droplets of sweat were welling up on his forehead. 一顆顆小汗珠從他額頭上不斷冒出來。

"We wanted them to acknowledge the evidence," Jose Jimenez, a chemist at the University of Colorado who signed the paper, told the?Reuters?news agency.

Reuters?/?r??t?z/ 路透社

"This is definitely not an attack on the WHO. It's a scientific debate, but we felt we needed to go public because they were refusing to hear the evidence after many conversations with them," he said.?WHO officials have cautioned the evidence is?preliminary and requires further assessment.

Benedetta Allegranzi, the WHO's technical lead for infection prevention and control, said that evidence emerging of airborne transmission of the coronavirus in "crowded, closed, poorly ventilated settings that have been described, cannot be ruled out".

preliminary /pr??l?m?n?ri/??N.?~ (to sth) a preliminary is an action or event that is done in preparation for sth 初步行動（或活動）；預備性措施?V.~ (to sth) happening before a more important action or event 預備性的；初步的；開始的·preliminary results/findings/enquiries 初步結果╱發(fā)現(xiàn)╱調查

?A shifting position?

Imogen Foulkes, BBC News in Geneva

For months, the WHO has insisted that Covid-19 is transmitted via droplets emitted?when people cough or sneeze. Droplets that do not linger in the air, but fall onto surfaces - that's why handwashing has been identified as a key prevention measure.

emit /??m?t/?V-T1.?If something emits heat, light, gas, or a smell, it produces it and sends it out by means of a physical or chemical process. 發(fā)出; 散發(fā) (熱、光、氣體或氣味)?2.V-T To emit a sound or noise means to produce it. 發(fā)出 (聲音或噪音)

But 239 scientists from 32 countries don't agree: they say there is strong evidence to suggest the virus can also spread in the air: through much tinier particles that float around for hours after people talk, or breathe out.

Today the WHO admitted there was evidence to suggest this was possible in specific settings, such as enclosed and crowded spaces.

That evidence will have to be thoroughly evaluated, but if it is confirmed, the advice on how to prevent the virus spreading may have to change, and could lead to more widespread use of masks, and more?rigorous?distancing, especially in bars, restaurants, and on public transport.

rigorous adj. /?r?ɡ?r?s/ ?

1.done carefully and with a lot of attention to detail SYN thorough 謹慎的；細致的；徹底的??a rigorous analysis 細致的分析

2.demanding that particular rules, processes, etc. are strictly followed 嚴格的；嚴厲的