Scientists at Brown University in the United States have named a way to protect against infection with the SARS-СoV-2 coronavirus in a car. This is reported in an article published in Science Advances.
Researchers have simulated air flows inside a car with various combinations of open and closed windows on a computer. In this case, the passenger sat in the back seat on the opposite side of the driver. It turned out that the more open windows, the lower the concentration of airborne particles between the driver and passenger. At the same time, a working ventilation system with closed windows had no effect on the risk of infection.
In addition, an open window next to the passenger does not greatly reduce the risk of passenger infection, since in this case the air flow passes through the entire cabin and exits the window next to the passenger. Due to the pressure difference, air most often enters through the rear window and exits through the front window. Therefore, if the front and rear windows are open on the opposite side of the passenger and the driver, then the driver is at slightly greater risk of infection, and the passenger is least.
Scientists emphasize that even all open windows are not a guarantee against infection. The best way to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus remains to wear masks for both the driver and the passenger.