Air Conditioning is more of a necessity in southern states than a luxury, especially during the scorching summer months.
However, the cool-air machine has come under scrutiny as a potential spreader of coronavirus.
Louisiana, Texas, and Florida have seen recent spikes in coronavirus cases and epidemiologist fear the combination of recirculating air and people spending more time indoors could spell disaster for stopping the spread of COVID-19.
Harvard University professor Dr. Edward Nardell, studies airborne diseases. He argued in the June issue of medical journal JAMA that disinfecting the air was overlooked in the prevention of the virus.
According to The Times Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate, Nardell highlighted this potential problem last week in an online presentation sponsored by the Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness.
Other researchers have echoed his concerns. As the summer heats up more people will stay indoors and as more businesses reopen in Louisiana air conditioners could be a silent spreader of the coronavirus according to Nardell.
Not all air conditioners have the potential to spread the virus but it could be one factor that needs attention from state health officials.
