Britons warned of coronavirus 'complacency' as devastating second winter spike predicted
BRITONS have been warned not to get complacent with the coronavirus crisis as a massive winter spike may be ahead.
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Dr Chris Smith claimed a coronavirus winter spike could become a reality in the UK as more people will be inside and closer together with windows closed. While on LBC with Eddie Mair, Dr Smith reflected on the recent open letter to the WHO from 200 scientists who wanted more focus on the dangers of airborne COVID-19 transmission. Dr Smith argued this was a useful tool to keep it fresh in citizen's minds that the coronavirus disease is still around and active.
He added it would be dangerous to now get complacent or careless in our response to the crisis.
Dr Smith said: "This is a useful reminder that as we approach winter, coronavirus spreading may become more of an issue.
"This is because more people are going to spend more time indoors, windows shut in a crowded society."
LBC host Eddie Mair then questioned whether scientists concerned about the WHO's handling of coronavirus was cause for concern.
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Dr Smith replied: "I think if you do something like this you create attention.
"You create airtime, exactly what we are giving it, which is a useful thing.
"It reminds people that coronavirus has not gone away, one in 2,000 people, give or take, across the UK has this virus.
"If you retreat indoors and spend a long time inside with somebody there is a chance you could pick this up.
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"Just staying on the other side of a room might not be enough.
"The scientists are saying to the WHO, can we please have enough attention focussed on this so we can better prepare for winter.
"I think that is reasonable advice but at the same time, nothing has fundamentally changed, we really must not be complacent with this."
Dr Smith also reiterated the basics of how coronavirus spreads from person to person.
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He said: "This is a respiratory infection, this is a disease of the nose, throat and lungs.
"When we talk, cough, sneeze, breathe we leave a vapour trail in our wake and that vapour trail comes from our lungs.
"There will be small droplets in there including some very small droplets which won't immediately sink to the floor and will remain airborne for a while."