I frequently hear it... The argument is always very one sided and studies (including the one you linked) fail to discuss the events that lead up to the actual filtration. Air has to travel. In order for air to travel it has to be disturbed and a current generated. The path of travel in a large aircraft is not insignificant.

I for one wouldn't dare fly ANYWHERE for ANY reason right now...but that's a luxury some folks don't have of course...but still....i'd be looking waaaay sideways at any employer asking me to fly right now....

>I'm not saying that it's without risks (I definitely wouldn't
>do it, contrary to what Meat assumed), but it's a far cry from
>the choir practice example, or any of the other "super
>spreader" events.

Understood.

>If you want some neat info and reconstructions of several
>Corona outbreaks, this blog (by an Associate Professor of
>Biology) is a nice read:
>https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them

Yes, read that last week. It's been making the rounds...it was shared on our neighborhood listserv. It's a great read for sure...

>They specifically mention air travel (with restrictions) as
>being relatively safe (compared to indoor gatherings) in a
>reaction to a question of a reader. (edit: can't link to the
>comment directly, scroll down on the 2nd page of comments to
>see it)

Yeah, and she really fumbled the answer IMO...not nearly thorough enough...here was her response: "Hi Jane (air-travel),

There have been recorded incidents of infections occurring on planes, but for the volume of air traffic, the incidence is low. They have great air filtration on board most modern planes.

Those immediately around you on the plane and fomite transfer from surfaces are your major concern. We travelled internationally recently, and just had wipes with us to clean our immediate contact surfaces and limited/were super cautious using the bathroom. "

>(this isn't the only source I use btw, just recent one that
>seems very thourough)
>
>Information about air filtration on airplanes:
>https://www.tripsavvy.com/air-quality-during-your-flight-54164

Tripsavvy makes money by people traveling...it's in their best interest to aleviate people's fears of traveling... I appreciate the link...but I wouldn't put much stock in that answer being gospel.

>As you know Covid-19 is a Corona virus (sorry to state the
>obvious), which is a rather common category of viruses.
>There's little reason to believe it will behave differently
>from its direct relatives (wrt filters), and those get
>filtered out quite efficiently. Otherwise modern air travel
>would be nigh impossible, because it would mean everybody
>getting sick (colds, flu, etc.) pretty much every flight.

There's actually a LOT of reason to believe it behaves differently...because it does. I won't rehash all of that though...but there are a ton of articles explaining what makes it so unique vs other virus.

>Again, I'm not writing this to make light of people's worries,
>but if Lightworks is in a vulnerable demographic and really
>that worried about exposure through her roommate, I don't
>think she should get hung up on that one plane trip. There are
>plenty of other opportunities to get infected in daily life,
>so she probably should agree on strict distancing and hygiene
>in the house, or find another place to stay for the time
>being. Her call. I just don't like fear mongering, intentional
>or not. That doesn't make me some kind of denialist, but I
>guess that nuance is lost on some folks here, lol.

Just understand how things can come off..
There's a LOT of validity in MEAT's assessment of the "privilege" that's on display lately, ESPECIALLY surrounding the wearing of masks.

"Get ready....for your blessing....."
"Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"