In VERY broad strokes, viral inoculum is measuring how much exposure one gets to a virus. Many have the idea that if everyone is exposed the same, like a light switch, you either got it or you didn’t. But the data suggests that this isn’t true. That there is a continuum of exposure that can be measured. It takes a certain size of viral load for the infection to flourish. Obviously the immune system of the individual plays a key role as well, which is why certain segments of the population are more susceptible to complications and higher mortality rates.

“The size of the inoculum determines the likelihood and severity of infection in respiratory viral infections. It is not necessary to avoid every viral particle when the minimum infecting dose is often 500 to 1,000 particles.” (Dr. Thomas Birch, MD ~ WSJ May 2020 ) Yeah, we knew, or should have known, way back in May. This is why politics over science is such a bad idea, it literally kills people.

For example a doctor in China that died of the virus, 33 years old, had few if any comorbidities like obesity, diabetes, asthma, immuno suppression to name a few. He was one of the first to report and he then died of COVID-19. This was a bit of a freak out moment for those still learning about this disease. Was this virus another potential Ebola? BUT, he was an opthamologist, which meant he was working basically face to face at a very close distance to infected patients. So his viral load was enormous, and he had it much worse than others as a result.

This is partly why social distancing and wearing masks makes such a BIG difference with not only the infection rates, but more importantly the mortality rates. So as of now in the middle of October 2020, we’re seeing new spikes in infection rates in the US and around the world, but the mortality rate is dropping. Currently it’s around 2-4 per 1,000 infections. Also the younger the population, and the lower the comorbidities, the lower the death rate. Any death is tragic for someone, but how much would you change your life over a .02% risk? Unless you’re in a higher risk group (over 65 etc.) probably not that much. If masks and distancing can keep this under control, yay let’s go with that vs. closing the world. BUT some assholes won’t wear masks, insist that this virus will just disappear like magic, and encourage large unprotected gatherings that result in super-spreader events. smh

THIS is why air filtering is such a critical component of health management. A reduction in viral inoculum can make the difference between life and death. Between being sick like a flu, or in ICU. Reducing the viral load MATTERS. We should do that. Not just for COVID-19, as this principle applies to nearly all respiratory viruses. We haven’t been educated to understand why this is such an important part of the whole picture. Know better, do better.

Can you think of any reason that we shouldn’t try to get this into every classroom? Bars? Restaurants? Offices? By both reducing the cost and improving the tax advantages to donation we’re doing all we can. Stay tuned… We’re very close to a reasonable solution.