16 hours. "We aerosolized severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and determined that its dynamic aerosol efficiency surpassed those of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome. Although we performed experiment only once across several laboratories, our findings suggest retained infectivity and virion integrity for up to 16 hours in respirable-sized aerosols."
Source: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/9/20-1806_article
Commentary: This is urgent and important. A credible study done by the CDC with the actual SARS-CoV-2 virus shows that it retains infectivity in the air for up to 16 hours.
SIXTEEN HOURS IN THE AIR. That means if you're in an indoor place that isn't robustly ventilating, you are at risk if you're not wearing a mask. An infected shopper that goes into a store before closing time at 6 PM could still infect the first shopper in the door at 8 AM the next day.
Wear a mask.
Watch your distance.
Wash your hands.
And if possible, upgrade your masks to the highest level of protection available and affordable. I've been recommending either the 3M or the Trend Stealth.
- 3M: https://amzn.to/3gXVgqr (requires filters sold separately - https://amzn.to/3fzIkag )
- Trend Stealth: https://amzn.to/3euITkf