A US study found the risk of catching coronavirus on a plane was extremely low. Getty Images
A US study found the risk of catching coronavirus on a plane was extremely low. Getty Images
A US study found the risk of catching coronavirus on a plane was extremely low. Getty Images
A US study found the risk of catching coronavirus on a plane was extremely low. Getty Images

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Risk of catching coronavirus on a plane same as ‘getting struck by lightning’

US study finds minimal threat of Covid-19 transmission on passenger jets

Brodie Owen
London

October 16, 2020

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The risk of getting coronavirus on a plane is the equivalent to the chances of “getting struck by lightning”, the airline industry says.

It comes after a US defence department study found masks greatly minimised exposure to infected air particles on a plane.

Conducted on two Boeing jets, the study found an average of 0.003 per cent of air particles around a passenger’s head were found to be infectious when a mask is worn - even when every seat is occupied.

The findings are bound to be positive news for the airline industry, which has been battered by the coronavirus crisis.

US authorities are also likely to point to the study to bolster their argument to establish safe travel corridors with countries such as the UK, with speculation that a trans-Atlantic air bridge could be set up in time for Thanksgiving on November 26.

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The testing assumed only one infected person on the plane and did not simulate the effects of passenger movement around the cabin.

About 99.99 per cent of particles were filtered out of the cabin within 6 minutes due to fast air circulation, downward ventilation and the filtration systems on the aircraft.

It estimated that to become infected, a passenger would need to fly for 54 hours on a plane with an infectious person.

United Airlines, which also provided pilots for the test, took pains to present the results in its favour.

"These results ... mean your chances of Covid exposure on a United aircraft are nearly non-existent, even if your flight is full," the airline’s chief customer officer Toby Enqvist said.

The study was led and funded by a division of the US defence department, which operates flights that use commercial planes for members of the military.

The six-month research involved 300 tests during 38 hours of flight time and 45 hours of ground testing.

It was done by releasing particles the same size as the novel coronavirus across the entire cabin by section, each of which had 42 sensors representing other passengers who could potentially come in contact with the particles.

Each test released 180 million particles – the number of particles that would be produced by thousands of coughs.

Last week, plane manufacturers including Boeing released a joint publication showing that cabin air filters limit the spread of viruses on their aircraft.

Boeing’s conclusions were based on computational fluid dynamics research that simulated how particles move around aircraft cabins.

A protester (R) wears a face shield with an image of Victoria's state premier Daniel Andrews on it as speaks to police during an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne, as the city continues to enforce strict lockdown measure to battle a second wave of COVID-19 coronavirus infections. AFP
A protester (R) wears a face shield with an image of Victoria's state premier Daniel Andrews on it as speaks to police during an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne, as the city continues to enforce strict lockdown measure to battle a second wave of COVID-19 coronavirus infections. AFP
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Cast members wear personal protective equipment as they prepare backstage during the drama "Retrograde Man" in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. The drama, paying tribute to medical staff, portrays a doctor's rescue of coronavirus patients during the lockdown in Wuhan. As there have been no recorded cases of community transmissions since May, life for residents is gradually returning to normal. Getty Images
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A medical worker brushes the hair of a patient affected with COVID-19 in a Marseille hospital, southern France. As the Marseille region has become France's latest virus hotspot, hospitals are re-activating emergency measures in place when the pandemic first hit to ensure they're able to handle growing new cases. AP Photo
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An Indian woman wearing white protective gear mourns after taking a glimpse of her husband's body, a victim of COVID 19, at a cremation ground in Gauhati, India. India reported another record spike of 95,735 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours as the virus spreads beyond its major cities. The ministry said the surge in new infections is due to ramping of daily testing that exceeds 1 million now. However, experts caution that India’s outbreak is entering a more dangerous phase as the virus spreads to smaller towns and villages. AP Photo
People watch as police stand guard in front of the Shrine of Remembrance during an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne, as the city continues to enforce strict lockdown measure to battle a second wave of COVID-19 coronavirus infections. AFP
People watch as police stand guard in front of the Shrine of Remembrance during an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne, as the city continues to enforce strict lockdown measure to battle a second wave of COVID-19 coronavirus infections. AFP
A man is detained by police during an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne, Australia. Anti-lockdown protesters organised a "freedom walk" to demonstrate against Melbourne's current Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions. While organisers claim the gathering is legal, Victoria police said they would be monitoring protest activity, with anyone considered to be breaching the Chief Health Officer's directives liable for a fine of $1652. Metropolitan Melbourne remains under stage 4 lockdown restrictions, with people only allowed to leave home to give or receive care, shopping for food and essential items, daily exercise and work while an overnight curfew from 8pm to 5am is also in place. The majority of retail businesses are also closed. Other Victorian regions are in stage 3 lockdown. The restrictions, which came into effect from 2 August, were introduced by the Victorian government as health authorities work to reduce community COVID-19 transmissions across the state. Getty Images
A man is detained by police during an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne, Australia. Anti-lockdown protesters organised a "freedom walk" to demonstrate against Melbourne's current Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions. While organisers claim the gathering is legal, Victoria police said they would be monitoring protest activity, with anyone considered to be breaching the Chief Health Officer's directives liable for a fine of $1652. Metropolitan Melbourne remains under stage 4 lockdown restrictions, with people only allowed to leave home to give or receive care, shopping for food and essential items, daily exercise and work while an overnight curfew from 8pm to 5am is also in place. The majority of retail businesses are also closed. Other Victorian regions are in stage 3 lockdown. The restrictions, which came into effect from 2 August, were introduced by the Victorian government as health authorities work to reduce community COVID-19 transmissions across the state. Getty Images
An elderly couple wearing face masks to protect against the coronavirus walks at a public park in Beijing. Even as China has largely controlled the outbreak, the coronavirus is still surging across other parts of the world. AP Photo
An elderly couple wearing face masks to protect against the coronavirus walks at a public park in Beijing. Even as China has largely controlled the outbreak, the coronavirus is still surging across other parts of the world. AP Photo
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A city worker holds a dog at the animal city shelter in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After seeing the number of adoptions go down to zero in the beginning of the new coronavirus pandemic, the Rio city shelter is celebrating the success of their Pet Delivery program. Now, administrators running animal shelter are offering pets through a virtual system that allows prospective owners to browse online and, after choosing a pet, the shelter brings the animal to their homes, bathed, spayed and with all inoculations. AP Photo
A member of staff checks the temperature of theatregoers as a precaution against the transmission of the novel coronavirus upon their arrival ahead of a performance of Sleepless the Musical at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in London. At the Troubadour, in Wembley Park, northwest London, on Thursday night, theatre-goers had their temperatures taken and were told to wear face masks throughout the performance. Most British theatres are have not reopened following the coronavirus lockdown but the pop-up venue has been able to adapt to social distancing rules. Its 1,200 capacity has been cut to 400 seats, and a one-way route has been put in place along with hand-washing and disinfecting facilities. Audiences complied and didn't seem to mind. AFP
A member of staff checks the temperature of theatregoers as a precaution against the transmission of the novel coronavirus upon their arrival ahead of a performance of Sleepless the Musical at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in London. At the Troubadour, in Wembley Park, northwest London, on Thursday night, theatre-goers had their temperatures taken and were told to wear face masks throughout the performance. Most British theatres are have not reopened following the coronavirus lockdown but the pop-up venue has been able to adapt to social distancing rules. Its 1,200 capacity has been cut to 400 seats, and a one-way route has been put in place along with hand-washing and disinfecting facilities. Audiences complied and didn't seem to mind. AFP
A member of the "Bora Testar" or Let's Test project, interviews resident Marina Almeida, in the Paraisopolis neighborhood of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The project plans to test up to 600 people for COVID-19 in the low income neighborhood, and to expand to other vulnerable communities in the country, financed by crowdfunding and donations. AP Photo
A member of the "Bora Testar" or Let's Test project, interviews resident Marina Almeida, in the Paraisopolis neighborhood of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The project plans to test up to 600 people for COVID-19 in the low income neighborhood, and to expand to other vulnerable communities in the country, financed by crowdfunding and donations. AP Photo
Maria Hernandez, 38, (top, L) embraces her aunt through a transparent curtain at a Hogar Jardin de Los Abuelitos nursing home as a nurse watches them, in San Salvador, amid the new coronavirus pandemic. According to geriatrician Luis Bermudes, the use of a kind of curtain that allows the elderly guests to be hugged by their relatives without the risk of being infected from COVID-19 is a measure to avoid depression and anxiety. AFP
Maria Hernandez, 38, (top, L) embraces her aunt through a transparent curtain at a Hogar Jardin de Los Abuelitos nursing home as a nurse watches them, in San Salvador, amid the new coronavirus pandemic. According to geriatrician Luis Bermudes, the use of a kind of curtain that allows the elderly guests to be hugged by their relatives without the risk of being infected from COVID-19 is a measure to avoid depression and anxiety. AFP

The latest test results came after an Australian study found people sitting in the window seats in the middle of economy class had the greatest risk of contracting the virus.

A genome sequencing analysis of a Qantas flight from Sydney to Perth on March 19 found as many as 11 passengers caught the disease over the five-hour journey.

However, almost all of the infectious passengers had disembarked a Covid-hit cruise ship earlier that day.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said it has identified only 44 flight-related Covid-19 cases since the beginning of 2020, from around 1.2 billion passengers who have travelled during that time.

IATA director general Alexandre de Juniac said: "Nothing is completely risk-free.
"But…the risk of contracting the virus on board appears to be in the same category as being struck by lightning."

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Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

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Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning. 

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Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.

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