New Research Discovers Men Over Six Feet Are Twice More Likely to Contract COVID-19
4COVID-19 and a person’s height
While this link was only observed in the UK, researchers never had much of an explanation for it. However, there are other possible factors which can explain this connection such as larger men working at construction which could put them at a greater risk.
The development of diseases like an irregular heartbeat and dementia has also been linked to height. Scientists believe that this could be because of genetic variants or growth hormones. However, the researchers never suggested that tall people were more at risk of COVID-19 infections due to their biology, in this study.
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5Tiny coronavirus particles tend to linger in the air
The theory that tiny coronavirus particles which get emitted through exhaling and while speaking, linger for hours in the air, is supported by the findings of the study. It has been admitted by WHO scientists earlier in this month that there is ‘emerging evidence’ that the coronavirus can be transmitted through the air.
Previously the UN agency had said that the virus primarily spreads through droplets expelled from the nose and mouth of an infected person. While these sink to the ground quickly they can still land in the mouth or nose of the people nearby. They even land on surfaces from where they can be picked up.
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6WHO now needs to update its guidance and instructions
WHO needs to update its guidance to clearly warn about how the COVID-19 infections can be inhaled by people because it can linger in the air. A virus spreading through aerosols or tiny droplets that can float around after being exhaled indicates airborne transmission.
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7Tall people may not necessarily be at greater risk
If the transmission is mainly through droplets then taller people aren’t exactly at a higher risk of being infected, experts now say. But, the team hypothesized that since they are taller, they are exposed to more of the particles.
The paper which is yet to be published in the medical journal stated: “If large downward falling droplets were more significant, then taller people might be expected to be less at risk”.
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