There was a time when no one would think twice about blowing out birthday candles, but the coronavirus pandemic has made people much more conscious of how easily germs are spread.
The once-fun birthday tradition is getting a lot of heat as cases of the novel virus continue to rise globally.
Since COVID-19 is airborne and spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking, blowing out candles is not advised, says Dr. S. Patrick Kachur, professor of population and family health at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
He told TODAY Food that people should refrain from blowing out candles during celebrations, especially indoors or in a public space.
"Blowing out candles can expel virus particles, just like breathing, talking, singing, shouting, coughing and sneezing, if the person is infected," he said.
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Dr. David M. Aronoff, director of Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Division of Infectious Diseases, said that blowing out candles carries breath further than speaking or breathing, which may put loved ones at more of a risk.
"This is problematic because it could be the case that the person blowing out the candles is infected with SARS-CoV-2 and does not know it. Blowing their breath out with force could project virus particles a greater distance than simply breathing or speaking, particularly if the person would otherwise have a cloth face covering on," Aronoff explained.
He emphasized that if you’re celebrating with your immediate family that you live with, the risk of blowing out candles is less than it would be if you hosted a large gathering with people outside of your circle.
"If the person blowing out the candles on a cake is doing so around people with whom they already live (housemates, family members, etc) then it is likely they are already sharing their breaths without masks on. Thus, the risk is not as high as if the candle-blower was doing this in public or around people with whom they do not share a household," Aronoff added.
Kachur reminded that children can spread the virus even if they are asymptomatic and encouraged being extra cautious around older family members and those with illness as they are more at-risk.
He also advised not to “involve friends or family members outside your small 'quarantine bubble.’”
For those who want to keep the tradition of blowing out candles alive, Kachur suggested separating the cake and the candles to ensure safety.
Even without COVID, the tradition isn't encouraged. A study published in the Journal of Food Research showed that researchers found blowing candles resulted in 1400% more bacteria on the icing compared to when the candles were not blown out.
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