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. 2020 Jul 17;17(14):5167. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17145167

Table 1.

Some of the unresolved issues about COVID-19 and corresponding follow-up questions suggested in the article.

Unresolved Issues Follow-Up Questions
  1. Microphysically, there is a controversy over whether airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 takes place, although it is increasingly evident that it is the case.

  1. How do the SARS-CoV-2 virus containing particles interact with other ambient aerosol particles?

  2. How does the SARS-CoV-2 virus interact with other coexisting components in the same particles?

  3. What are the factors determining the atmospheric lifetime and fate of SARS-CoV-2 virus containing particles? What is the minimum amount SARS-CoV-2 virus required to cause COVID-19? Consequently, how do those factors affect the infectiousness of the SARS-CoV-2 virus? How does the effectiveness of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus compare with transmission through close physical contact and contaminated surfaces (also known as fomite)?

  4. How do we compile science-based infectious control measures and policies and recommendations to the general public in both indoor and outdoor public areas?

  • 2.

    Macrophysically, there is a seemingly positive correlation between the COVID-19 death rate and pollution level in many cities. It is uncertain if such a positive correlation is prevalent worldwide. Also, the underlying mechanisms responsible for that remain to be explored.

  • 3.

    The impacts on the global climate from the drastically reduced greenhouse gases and particulate matter (PM) emissions during lockdown remain to be examined.

  • 5.

    How does the reduced emissions during lockdown affect air quality and global climate quantitatively and qualitatively? What are the mechanisms behind those impacts?

  • 6.

    How do we leverage the testbed offered by the lockdown for compiling a future emission policy for air quality improvement and global warming mitigation?

  • 4.

    The impacts on air quality from the drastically reduced gaseous pollutants and PM emissions during lockdown remain to be examined.