Heard all sorts of horror stories about Covid-19 and coughing or sneezing in public?

Well, you’ll be happy to know that it’s much worse in Singapore.

Much. Much. Worse.

A S’pore Study

A*Star researchers have managed to successfully create a model for cough droplets in Singapore.

While studies on the spread of cough droplets aren’t anything new, especially in today’s Covid-19 world, one that takes Singapore’s tropical climate into account is.

The researchers took into account several factors that are unique to Singapore, including the humidity level as well as wind speed.

Unlike temperate climates, which are drier and assumes a cough droplet evaporates completely, a cough droplet in Singapore only evaporates partially, becoming a smaller object, and is carried further through the air via the wind.

Findings

The researchers worked closely with the National Supercomputing Centre to produce a simulation of the spread of cough droplets in Singapore.

The findings are then put to the test by A*Star’s Institute of Material Science with an aerosol generator to verify the accuracy.

It was found that a 100 micro-metre cough droplet can travel up to 6.6m away with a wind speed of 2 metres per second.

The researchers clarified that while cough droplets are not created equal, 100 micro-metre is the average size of a cough droplet and the average wind speed in Singapore is 2m/s.

In other words, if you’re not wearing a mask, a 1-metre safe-distancing won’t be enough to save you from infection.

It’s Not All Bad News, Though

The researchers added that currently, Singapore’s Covid-19 Safe Management Measures are sufficient to guard against Covid-19 transmission.

As long as everyone does their part and wears their masks, as well as see a doctor when they experience even the slightest symptoms, chances are, we can be protected against Covid-19.

The simulations aren’t just there to find out the spread of cough droplets.

Planning For The Future

According to the researchers, variables can also be input to discover “what if” situations.

For example, if the government decides to have a 200-pax limit on IT fair, the researchers can input the factors and check if it’s something feasible or unsafe.

This will help limit the risk of trying out new safe management measures, something which is needed considering how Phase 3 is coming soon.

Other good practices highlighted include:

• Well-ventilated environment
• Social-distancing
• Practise good personal hygiene

And of course, you’ve not done so, download the TraceTogether app. Watch this video to the end to know how it works (please also subscribe to our YouTube channel for more informative videos!):

Featured Image: UV70 / Shutterstock.com