Tall people who are 182cm (6ft tall) have more chances of being diagnosed with coronavirus more than short people, the results of a new survey carried out of The University of Manchester.
A team of researchers which surveyed 2000 people in the United Kingdom and the United States of America has suggested that the transmission of coronavirus through aerosol is very high with tall people at risk because of their height.
In simple terms, scientists who carried out the survey believe that the virus spread through the air at higher rate. With that being said, if you are over 6ft or tall like a giraffe you are at risk of contracting the virus.
Professor Evan Kontopantelis, from The University of Manchester, said: “The results of this survey in terms of associations between height and diagnosis suggest downward droplet transmission is not the only transmission mechanism and aerosol transmission is possible.
“This has been suggested by other studies but our method of confirmation is novel.
“Though social distancing is still important because transmission by droplets is still likely to occur, it does suggest that mask wearing may be just as if not more effective in prevention.
“But also, air purification in interior spaces should be further explored.”
Professor Paul Anand, a Research Director at The Open University said: “Much scientific research has focussed on patterns of spread and underlying mechanisms of transmission.
“But as economies and societies reopen, it is important to know more about the role personal factors as predictors of transmission.
“Though both are market economies, the US and UK differ in the extent and manner in they provide access to health care and welfare support – and that to some extent is demonstrated by the associations shown by the data.”
Rolando Gonzales Martinez, researcher of the University of Agder in Norway, said “Both structural and individual factors must be taken into account when predicting transmission or designing effective public health measures and messages to prevent or contain transmission.
“But it would be helpful to have repeat observations so more could be said about changes over time.”
