This blog is not intended as advice. It is for educational and research purposes only. Read this disclaimer first if you want to read this post.
ABC News notes Qantas has found social distancing impracticable (it probably is), and plans safety measures to making flying “safe”.
- Masks for all passengers – but they picture uncertified masks that would give almost no protection to passengers or other passengers.
Above, an annotated a Qantas picture of a person wearing an uncertified mask. Not only is there no seal between the mask and the face (see arrow – there is a huge channel for infected air), but the mask should be N95/P2 certified, It costs a bit more and extensive training is needed in the terminal (before boarding) on the fitting, use and safe removal – and the limitations of the masks. Qantas would also need to properly train flight attendants or have respiratory protection professionals (like occupational hygienists) to do it properly. The masks pictured do not protect the wearer and as people tend to touch their face more when wearing a mask, their effectiveness is very dubious.
Presumably there will be a ban on eating and drinking, as that would require the removal of the mask. During eating and drinking the mouth is open and an increase in aerosol would be expected. Everyone tends to eat and drink at about the same time, so eating and drinking would increase the risk more than expected. - Enhanced cleaning – I cannot see how fabric seats can be properly disinfected
- Limiting movement in cabin – People will still need to use toilets and that seems to be the major reason for cabin movement during flights. I also like to walk to minimise the risk of DVT.
- Sanitising wipes – these appears to be a substitute for hand sanitiser (except on the ground). There is no information as to their effectiveness.
- Encouraging COVID-19 app – there is a low uptake already and the App does not in itself give any protection. It is a just a talisman. I saw the same with radiation dosimeters.
- Increased Social Distancing in Qantas Lounges – but apparently not in Departure Lounges.
The measures mentioned are cheap and superficial and do not address major issues in protecting passengers or staff, including:
- There is no mention of reducing fecal bioaerosols in toilets particularly during defecation or urination or just plain touching of surfaces See my blog for engineering approaches to reduce this threat. Aircraft toilets do have the advantage in the contents are sucked out, but this is after much of the fecal aerosol has been created and dispersed in the cubicle. All surfaces become contaminated by the aerosol and it appears that in-flight decontamination of the entire toilet cubicle after every use will not be done.
- There is no mention of disinfecting baggage, a major source of COVID-19 infection for Qantas baggage handlers. So your think you have dodged the bullet? Just wait till you pick up your baggage.
- They say the HEPA filtration will get rid of “almost all viruses on board“, but fail to mention that when filtered air is introduced, its flow pattern has not been modified to optimize passenger protection. Viruses from other passengers will have ample time to infect people in nearby seats. This last point was also noted by Professor Raina MacIntyre in the ABC article. See my blog for engineering approaches to reduce this threat. This is probably the most serious deficiency.
It is quite insulting to suggest flying with Qantas will be COVID-19 safe. If I really had to travel by air I would certainly take my own hand sanitizer and probably wear a proper P2 face mask. Flying will remain very COVID-19 risky.
