Can The Coronavirus Be Spread Through Farts?
The smell may be hell but the mist could leave you pissed.
Two Australian doctors are weighing in about the spread of the coronavirus “down under” — whether it can be spread through farts, that is.
During Friday’s episode of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s “Coronacast,” podcast, producer and host Dr. Norman Swan made a cautionary suggestion when it comes to particles of feces set adrift within a fart and the spread of COVID-19.
“No bare-bottom farting,” Swan advised about posterior pandemic panic, in a measured, mildly amused tone.
“Luckily, we wear a mask, which covers our farts all the time,” Swan said, referring to the protective aspects of pants, shorts, dresses, underwear and other garments. “I think that what we should do in terms of social distancing and being safe is that … you don’t fart close to other people, and that you don’t fart with your bottom bare.”
Meanwhile, Australian emergency physician Dr. Andy Tagg also floated the question via Twitter, asking, “So, can the bottom-based emissions of someone with coronavirus be silent and deadly?”
Unfortunately, as Tagg observed, there is “not a great deal of research” available to come to a firm conclusion about the perils of passing COVID-19 while passing gas.