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Today’s guest, Dr. Julian W. Tang, a clinical virologist with the university hospitals in Leicester, UK, is considered an aerosol transmission expert. He has a special interest in infection control specifically as it relates to influenza and respiratory viruses as well as work experience in Hong Kong post-SARS in 2003. In this episode, Dr. Tang shares how countries affected by SARS applied the lessons they learned to the current pandemic, and how it stands in contrast to other countries’ hesitant responses. We also delve into why COVID-19 should be considered airborne and what should be done in response. Along with this, we explore how ventilation could help curtail intra-hospital transmission, why the WHO needs to change its recommendations, and what Dr. Tang believes the trajectory of the virus will be. These evidence-based, clear insights are great advancements in the COVID-19 research landscape.

Thanks for joining us for this wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the leading researchers on the COVID pandemic. Enjoy!

Talking points:

• An introduction to today’s guest, Dr. Julian Tang, and his area of expertise (0:30)
• Dr. Tang’s experience of working in Hong Kong post-SARS and the parallels to the current pandemic (1:14)
• What Dr. Tang noticed about the UK, European, and North American responses to COVID-19 (2:55)
• Why Dr. Tang refutes the claim that COVID-19 is not airborne (3:26)
• What Dr. Tang has seen with screening healthcare workers in Leicester (4:53)
• Learn more about what happens to viral count after exhalations (6:10)
• Why hospital ward ventilation is so important in curtailing the spread of COVID-19 (7:28)
• Places that have adopted ventilation strategies and the results (8:14)
• The varied responses Dr. Tang has seen to the idea of opening hospital ward windows (9:42)
• An infectious disease with a higher mortality rate would have airborne precautions (11:00)
• Where Dr. Tang sees the trajectory of COVID-19 going, based on past experience (11:45)