One of Cambridge University’s most highly regarded scientists has raised serious questions about the Indian government’s new Covid guidelines announced by the Principal Scientific Advisor’s Office on Thursday, May 20. Professor Lalita Ramakrishnan, Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, raised questions about three particular aspects of the recent Covid guidelines – first, the government’s reiteration that aerosols can carry the infection up to 10 metres, second, the stress on frequently cleaning door handles, light switches, tables and chairs and, third, the need for double masking. In all three cases, her views clash fairly sharply with the government’s recent guidelines.
In a 20 minute interview to Karan Thapar for The Wire, Professor Ramakrishnan said while its technically and theoretically possible for aerosols, which can carry the virus up to 10 metres, to infect someone, this was very unlikely to happen. She added that “we should not be worrying about this”.
In its guidelines, where the government warns people of the 10-metre danger, which was first established a year ago, it does not explain why it is making the point nor does it give any guidance about how to respond to this.
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Questioned by The Wire over the new guideline’s stress on the need to frequently clean door handles, light switches, tables and floors and the suggestion that this should be done with bleach, Professor Ramakrishnan said “this is a very unlikely mode of transmission”. She added, “this should not be the thrust of the guidance”. Professor Ramakrishnan also questioned the need to clean with bleach. She said soap and water should be sufficient, if necessary.
However, Professor Ramakrishnan was most dismissive of the new guideline’s recommendation that people should wear double masks. She said this was a case of making “the perfect the enemy of the good”. She said, “may be double masks will help a little but they are not practical”.
In the interview to The Wire, Professor Ramakrishnan spelt out in some detail why double masks are a bad recommendation. She said “double masks are hot, uncomfortable and difficult to breathe through”.
Professor Ramakrishnan also told The Wire that N95 masks are not necessary and should be left for medical attendants, doctors and nurses in hospitals and added a surgical mask or homemade mask is sufficient.
