“The air conditioning craze starts again” –

“They’re all sick.” Many people say and hear it this way in this strange summer that, after a long period in which the whims of the weather split the country in two (very hot in the Center-South, bad weather and autumnal temperatures in the North), is recording record heat waves, accompanied by a singular boom in respiratory infections. A phenomenon that is not only Italian. It is also happening in the United Kingdom, where according to the Health Security Agency, positive Covid tests have increased from 4% at the end of March to 14% at the end of June, with peaks of +17% on July 10. This is reported by the ‘Mirror’ which consulted Allen Haddrell, a researcher at the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol, on the issue.

To explain the resurgence of Sars-CoV-2 infections, the scientist points to several factors – the new viral variants, vacations, travel, mega events with many people gathered without restrictions or protective measures – but he also brings into play one of the most divisive topics of the hot season: air conditioning. “In offices,” observes Haddrell, “people use air conditioning because having an open window might not cool the environment very much. Many of these air conditioners cool the air, but they also push it around and in a sense seal the building, which could lead to an increase in transmission” of viruses.

Could it be true? Asked by Adnkronos Salute, virologist Fabrizio Pregliasco recalls when «in the most acute moments of the pandemic, air conditioning was almost criminalized. Now the refrain is back», smiles the director of the School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine at the University of Milan, who makes a distinction: «The potential risk of infection exists, as some initial studies in China had highlighted at the time of the coronavirus emergency. But it is concrete only if the air conditioning is poorly managed, without ensuring good exchange».