Virus Transmission Through the Eyes

[coffeebean]

I would imagine by now, most everyone has seen Dr. Fair, epidemiologist and virologist on TV. He believes he contracted the coronovirus through his eyes on a crowded airline flight. Here is an article in case you haven't heard yet......

Virologist hospitalized with coronavirus believes he got it through his eyes (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/virologist-hospitalized-coronavirus-believes-he-got-it-through-his-eyes-n1206956)

Dr. Fair had on a mask and gloves on this crowded airline flight. I have not heard if every single person on the flight, including the flight crew, were wearing masks. If in fact, every single person on the flight had on a mask and were wearing it properly, the possibility of droplets getting into Dr. Fair's eyes would be next to nothing. (Masks do block droplets from being spewed into the air from a person breathing, speaking, coughing or sneezing.)

I'm not an expert about transmission of viruses but I've been like a sponge reading lots about this virus and watching a lot of the experts discussing this on TV. I am confused as to why Dr. Fair thinks he may have contracted this new coronavirus in his eyes. Let me explain my thoughts..........It is a well known fact that wearing a mask DOES NOT protect the wearer. Wearing a mask protects the people around the wearer of the mask. Having said that, from what I understand about wearing a mask, Dr. Fair could have very easily contracted the virus from breathing it in through his mask. I will reiterate.....unless every single person on the plane were wearing a mask, contracting the virus through the mask was very possible.

I remain confused as to why a physician would think his wearing a mask protected him from breathing in the virus and come to the conclusion that he must have contracted the virus through his eyes. ????????????????

Anyone able to explain this to me? How about you.golfingeagles? Can you shed some light so I can understand this?

Much appreciation.

[davem4616]

nobody has all the answers...they're still trying to figure it out

[La lamy]

I can imagine it might be from the recycled air in the plane. I've read the virus can be in the air, and if you use the vents above your head in the plane, maybe the virus can reach down into the eyes.

[Altavia]

I would imagine by now, most everyone has seen Dr. Fair, epidemiologist and virologist on TV. He believes he contracted the coronovirus through his eyes on a crowded airline flight. Here is an article in case you haven't heard yet......

Virologist hospitalized with coronavirus believes he got it through his eyes (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/virologist-hospitalized-coronavirus-believes-he-got-it-through-his-eyes-n1206956)

Dr. Fair had on a mask and gloves on this crowded airline flight. I have not heard if every single person on the flight, including the flight crew, were wearing masks. If in fact, every single person on the flight had on a mask and were wearing it properly, the possibility of droplets getting into Dr. Fair's eyes would be next to nothing. (Masks do block droplets from being spewed into the air from a person breathing, speaking, coughing or sneezing.)

I'm not an expert about transmission of viruses but I've been like a sponge reading lots about this virus and watching a lot of the experts discussing this on TV. I am confused as to why Dr. Fair thinks he may have contracted this new coronavirus in his eyes. Let me explain my thoughts..........It is a well known fact that wearing a mask DOES NOT protect the wearer. Wearing a mask protects the people around the wearer of the mask. Having said that, from what I understand about wearing a mask, Dr. Fair could have very easily contracted the virus from breathing it in through his mask. I will reiterate.....unless every single person on the plane were wearing a mask, contracting the virus through the mask was very possible.

I remain confused as to why a physician would think his wearing a mask protected him from breathing in the virus and come to the conclusion that he must have contracted the virus through his eyes. ????????????????

Anyone able to explain this to me? How about you.golfingeagles? Can you shed some light so I can understand this?

Much appreciation.

Very good question. Feels like there might be some I'm super smart and not my fault blame storming from him.

He also experienced a long exposure time.

Would be interesting to know how many other people on that plane caught COVID.

Should also be required to test everyone from any flight that induces the disease to help learn what works and doesn't

[DeanFL]

Wouldn't you know it... and I bought a 10-pack of these masks for the Covid...

[billethkid]

Is wearing the mask with the nose exposed an acceptable compromise?
:icon_wink:

[anothersteve]

With all the paranoia going around, pretty soon swim goggles will be required on all flights.
Steve

[Lindsyburnsy]

He was probably wearing one of those N95 respirator masks. Now you know why heathcare workers also wear those plastic shields over their eyes. Heck, my dentist has been wearing one of those shields for at least a couple of years. Wearing a mask is just one tool, just like gloves, gowns, washing hands, sanitizer, etc. We can only decrease our chances, not eliminate them, unless you and anybody else never left home and you didn't collect your mail, or have home delivery of groceries, packages, etc. Obviously, not going to happen.

[zonerboy]

Maybe he picked up the virus by touching something with his gloved hands, then touched his face near his eyes. Perhaps adjusting the fit of his mask.
If the virus is in the eye it can be washed thru the tear ducts into the nose and on into the throat.

[davem4616]

Wouldn't you know it... and I bought a 10-pack of these masks for the Covid...

I wonder how many people would be 'appalled' vs. laugh if you actually wore one of these into a Publix's or WD... :coolsmiley:

[trekker954]

I just saw him on one of the morning shows. I'm not so sure I'm buying into his symptoms. They do not appear to be in sync with others and he's admited he's pushed and been tested four times, negative. He got to the hospital and insisted not to be incubated, although he wasn't even near that point. He was given oxygen and is feeling much better. Anxiety that you have the virus can bring on hyperventilation and breathing difficulties. And for him to get interviewed and such so quickly without testing positive. I'm a nay sayer here on this one. I'll apologize if I'm wrong.

But my husband who had a stomach ache the other day, came in an told me about Fair and his stomach ache. UGHHHHHH. I reminded my husband he is what he eats which has been awful during the pandemic. Thats why he had a stomach ache. He was fine the next day when I took away all his cashews and salty food.

[Topspinmo]

I would imagine by now, most everyone has seen Dr. Fair, epidemiologist and virologist on TV. He believes he contracted the coronovirus through his eyes on a crowded airline flight. Here is an article in case you haven't heard yet......

Virologist hospitalized with coronavirus believes he got it through his eyes (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/virologist-hospitalized-coronavirus-believes-he-got-it-through-his-eyes-n1206956)

Dr. Fair had on a mask and gloves on this crowded airline flight. I have not heard if every single person on the flight, including the flight crew, were wearing masks. If in fact, every single person on the flight had on a mask and were wearing it properly, the possibility of droplets getting into Dr. Fair's eyes would be next to nothing. (Masks do block droplets from being spewed into the air from a person breathing, speaking, coughing or sneezing.)

I'm not an expert about transmission of viruses but I've been like a sponge reading lots about this virus and watching a lot of the experts discussing this on TV. I am confused as to why Dr. Fair thinks he may have contracted this new coronavirus in his eyes. Let me explain my thoughts..........It is a well known fact that wearing a mask DOES NOT protect the wearer. Wearing a mask protects the people around the wearer of the mask. Having said that, from what I understand about wearing a mask, Dr. Fair could have very easily contracted the virus from breathing it in through his mask. I will reiterate.....unless every single person on the plane were wearing a mask, contracting the virus through the mask was very possible.

I remain confused as to why a physician would think his wearing a mask protected him from breathing in the virus and come to the conclusion that he must have contracted the virus through his eyes. ????????????????

Anyone able to explain this to me? How about you.golfingeagles? Can you shed some light so I can understand this?

Much appreciation.

IMO The experts are guessing based on other similar outbreaks. If they knew maybe it could be controlled.

First they said wear mask, Then, all N95 masks were gone, then some said masks don’t help. Then, some said anything better than nothing? IMO it does help, is it 100%? Too many factors involved in individual cases.


Maybe he had N95 mask? There really no way knowing we’re he caught the virus. He could of caught before the flight and spread it beings he was working in volatile environment? I would not get on plane without n95 mask. IMO travelers on flights was the one 1 spread of the virus long before end of January. I suspect as early as late November it was lurking. IMO the world travels through LA, Atlanta, and NYC. We never had chance to stop it due china setting on it. IMO we for hit on both sides, China to west coast, NYC, Atlanta. China to Italy, rest of Europe, then Europe here.

[coffeebean]

Maybe he picked up the virus by touching something with his gloved hands, then touched his face near his eyes. Perhaps adjusting the fit of his mask.
If the virus is in the eye it can be washed thru the tear ducts into the nose and on into the throat.

Good possibility. I still don't know why he wore gloves. Gloves still harbor germs just like hands so why bother with gloves? Very possible....he may have touched his eye with his gloved hand. I have seen Dr. Fair interviewed while he was hospitalized and he did say that he can also make a mistake even though he very well knows what he is supposed to do to protect himself.

[Number 10 GI]

IF he even has the virus he could have contracted it way before the flight. It's not like you can back track and accurately determine when you contracted the virus. Me thinks it was his attempt for 15 minutes of fame.

[WhiteToast]

It's cool to wear a mask now. It's uncool not to. Today at Lake Deaton Publix, just one, a name-tagged Publix employee snickered and had comments about my mask and sunglasses. I forgot I had on the sunglasses, the rest of that cute jumpsuit and sexy Doctors mask was all me on any given day in the Publix from now on baby... Anyway, I appreciate everyone who wears a mask in public, for a while. I'll say only a few, mostly the lunch crowd, did not wear masks. Hopefully they will catch on.

[Eg_cruz]

I just saw him on one of the morning shows. I'm not so sure I'm buying into his symptoms. They do not appear to be in sync with others and he's admited he's pushed and been tested four times, negative. He got to the hospital and insisted not to be incubated, although he wasn't even near that point. He was given oxygen and is feeling much better. Anxiety that you have the virus can bring on hyperventilation and breathing difficulties. And for him to get interviewed and such so quickly without testing positive. I'm a nay sayer here on this one. I'll apologize if I'm wrong.

But my husband who had a stomach ache the other day, came in an told me about Fair and his stomach ache. UGHHHHHH. I reminded my husband he is what he eats which has been awful during the pandemic. Thats why he had a stomach ache. He was fine the next day when I took away all his cashews and salty food.
One has to consider the source of the interview NBC / MSNBC.....feels like someone wantS his 15 minutes of fame

[arbajeda]

There's no way to accurately tell where he got infected without contact tracing. The only reason his story has any credence is because he's a doctor. And if you read much about this mess you will find opinions all over the spectrum from doctors.

[rmd2]

The eyes have mucous membranes and a virus can enter the body this way.

[kendi]

I would imagine by now, most everyone has seen Dr. Fair, epidemiologist and virologist on TV. He believes he contracted the coronovirus through his eyes on a crowded airline flight. Here is an article in case you haven't heard yet......

Virologist hospitalized with coronavirus believes he got it through his eyes (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/virologist-hospitalized-coronavirus-believes-he-got-it-through-his-eyes-n1206956)

Dr. Fair had on a mask and gloves on this crowded airline flight. I have not heard if every single person on the flight, including the flight crew, were wearing masks. If in fact, every single person on the flight had on a mask and were wearing it properly, the possibility of droplets getting into Dr. Fair's eyes would be next to nothing. (Masks do block droplets from being spewed into the air from a person breathing, speaking, coughing or sneezing.)

I'm not an expert about transmission of viruses but I've been like a sponge reading lots about this virus and watching a lot of the experts discussing this on TV. I am confused as to why Dr. Fair thinks he may have contracted this new coronavirus in his eyes. Let me explain my thoughts..........It is a well known fact that wearing a mask DOES NOT protect the wearer. Wearing a mask protects the people around the wearer of the mask. Having said that, from what I understand about wearing a mask, Dr. Fair could have very easily contracted the virus from breathing it in through his mask. I will reiterate.....unless every single person on the plane were wearing a mask, contracting the virus through the mask was very possible.

I remain confused as to why a physician would think his wearing a mask protected him from breathing in the virus and come to the conclusion that he must have contracted the virus through his eyes. ????????????????

Anyone able to explain this to me? How about you.golfingeagles? Can you shed some light so I can understand this?

Much appreciation.

I don't trust the guy if he thinks wearing gloves is better than washing hands or using hand sanitizer. Those things give a false sense of protection unless you know the proper way to use them which is impossible to do when flying. They actually make it easier to pick up the germs. Is he really a doctor? If so, glad he was never mine.

[DonnaNi4os]

I’m guessing that he was wearing an N95 mask which led him to the conclusion that he contracted it from his eyes. That being said, he may have contracted it prior to his flight without knowing. He was simply speculating, let’s not all start buying goggles or shields unless you are in a very high risk group.

[JoMar]

The masks we wear are not to stop you from breathing in the virus, it is to prevent the wearer from spreading the virus. Medical folks wear face shields which also protect the eyes. There is also a battle going on between the Feds and the airlines on who has responsibility for contact tracing. Seems if you fly and someone on your flight has the virus you will never be contacted or know you were exposed.

[Velvet]

Masks can be a fashion statement, from bad-ass to sexy. As well as good for our collective health.

[thomp679]

One has to consider the source of the interview NBC / MSNBC.....feels like someone wantS his 15 minutes of fame

Yeah...thats it. You exposed another deep state conspiracy.

[Velvet]

That observation about swim googles is a good one. First, I thought about ski masks when flying but swim googles fit tighter. We are just talking till the vaccine is available.

[Bmjckp]

One has to consider the source of the interview NBC / MSNBC.....feels like someone wantS his 15 minutes of fame

Let’s see....he’s in a hospital bed, just downgraded from critical condition and you think he’s looking for “15 minutes of fame”?

That is disgusting!

[Windguy]

Anyone able to explain this to me?
It's just a WAG, but are you sure the pilots were wearing masks? If they are on the same air system as the travelers, recycled air could have infected people.

Another thought is that it takes a week or two to show symptoms, so who knows where else the doctor had been.

[Jacob85]

I have read other sources that admit the mask helps protect the person wearing it also. At least protects you from the big droplets. I suspect that they pushed the idea it doesn’t protect you so the health card workers would be able to get them. The surgical masks are better than the cloth masks so it would depend on the type of masks the other people had.

[Velvet]

I have read other sources that admit the mask helps protect the person wearing it also. At least protects you from the big droplets. I suspect that they pushed the idea it doesn’t protect you so the health card workers would be able to get them. The surgical masks are better than the cloth masks so it would depend on the type of masks the other people had.

I thought the same thing, given the limited supply of effective masks. But then health care workers etc are front line, deal very closely with infected people. I wouldn’t begrudge them anything to protect themselves.

Nevertheless, I take every precaution, myself. I’m giving this virus a heck of a hard time finding me.

[JulieER]

I would imagine by now, most everyone has seen Dr. Fair, epidemiologist and virologist on TV. He believes he contracted the coronovirus through his eyes on a crowded airline flight. Here is an article in case you haven't heard yet......

Virologist hospitalized with coronavirus believes he got it through his eyes (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/virologist-hospitalized-coronavirus-believes-he-got-it-through-his-eyes-n1206956)

Dr. Fair had on a mask and gloves on this crowded airline flight. I have not heard if every single person on the flight, including the flight crew, were wearing masks. If in fact, every single person on the flight had on a mask and were wearing it properly, the possibility of droplets getting into Dr. Fair's eyes would be next to nothing. (Masks do block droplets from being spewed into the air from a person breathing, speaking, coughing or sneezing.)

I'm not an expert about transmission of viruses but I've been like a sponge reading lots about this virus and watching a lot of the experts discussing this on TV. I am confused as to why Dr. Fair thinks he may have contracted this new coronavirus in his eyes. Let me explain my thoughts..........It is a well known fact that wearing a mask DOES NOT protect the wearer. Wearing a mask protects the people around the wearer of the mask. Having said that, from what I understand about wearing a mask, Dr. Fair could have very easily contracted the virus from breathing it in through his mask. I will reiterate.....unless every single person on the plane were wearing a mask, contracting the virus through the mask was very possible.

I remain confused as to why a physician would think his wearing a mask protected him from breathing in the virus and come to the conclusion that he must have contracted the virus through his eyes. ????????????????

Anyone able to explain this to me? How about you.golfingeagles? Can you shed some light so I can understand this?

Much appreciation.

“Although he’s not sure that’s how he contracted the virus, he said it’s his best guess.” So really nothing to understand here. He just didn’t know how else he got it, so guessed thru his eyes.