LONDON: More quiet zones in highrisk indoor spaces, such as
hospitals and restaurants, could help to cut
coronavirus contagion risks, six researchers from
the University of California, have said, after a study showed that lowering speaking volume can reduce the spread of the disease.
A reduction of 6 decibels in average speech levels can have the same effect as doubling a room's ventilation, scientists said on Wednesday, in an advance copy of a paper detailing their study. "A crowded but quiet classroom is much less dangerous than an uncrowded karaoke bar where patrons are socially distanced but talking and singing over loud music,” said lead researcher
William Ristenpart.