[zimfam007]

But for a microbe to be able to infect via airborne transmission is so very specific in the micro/virology world. That is why I am saying, to say that it is not airborne, or better yet, transmission is not airborne is a disservice and a horrible lack of public education. For the most part, the laymen has no understanding b/w the specifics of airborne transmission and droplet transmission. This is why I have been so frustrated. I have talked to many people that do not have a background in micro/virology/public health and those that do have an extensive background and the conversations all agree that when an official says that Ebola is not an airborne pathogen, the laymen automatically assume that they cannot contract the disease in an “airborne” manner. I put “airborne” in quotes b/c the laymen assumes that coughs/sneezes et al equate to airborne and that is simply, not scientifically the case due to the transmission via droplets which is TOTALLY different than airborne transmission.

[metmom]

But for a microbe to be able to infect via airborne transmission is so very specific in the micro/virology world. That is why I am saying, to say that it is not airborne, or better yet, transmission is not airborne is a disservice and a horrible lack of public education. For the most part, the laymen has no understanding b/w the specifics of airborne transmission and droplet transmission. This is why I have been so frustrated. I have talked to many people that do not have a background in micro/virology/public health and those that do have an extensive background and the conversations all agree that when an official says that Ebola is not an airborne pathogen, the laymen automatically assume that they cannot contract the disease in an “airborne” manner. I put “airborne” in quotes b/c the laymen assumes that coughs/sneezes et al equate to airborne and that is simply, not scientifically the case due to the transmission via droplets which is TOTALLY different than airborne transmission.

Which is irrelevant to the average lay person who catches the disease because of being sneezed of coughed on.

Best to warn people to avoid being near a person who is spewing anything in any form.