CDC warns of airborne COVID risk

Getting too close to an infected person or being indoors are biggest risks, but shouting, singing or exercising outside are risky, too.

The bottom line: If you are guiding your organization, your family or anyone else on COVID-19 safety, focus somewhere other than the White House. The growing West Wing outbreak serves as a dramatic illustration of how easily this novel coronavirus spreads. That’s where our focus must be.

• Indoor risks are significant: The CDC published a new scientific brief that updates what we know about how the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads. Top risk is when people are close to each other. You can relax a bit about contaminated surfaces. And, airborne transmission — even beyond 6 feet and possibly outdoors — has occurred and is a real risk, especially when there is singing, shouting or exercising and the exposure lasts more than 30 minutes.

• If you want proof: 30 of 41 choir members contracted COVID-19 after a September 11 indoor practice in Barcelona. The choir leaders said that they maintained social distancing and hygiene - and members wore masks for much of the time, but windows were closed. Experts urge good ventilation to reduce COVID risk.

• Super spreaders come in all age groups: One 13-year-old who had only mild symptoms was the source of a COVID-19 outbreak that spread to 11 other people across four states in June and July, according to a new report.

• Harden your IT systems: One of the centers where data for a COVID-19 vaccine study is being processed was the target of a major ransomware attack, the New York Times reported.