Florence nightingale knew what she was doing. She recognized that there was a correlation between disease transmission and the environment that the soldiers were in. But then, of course, over the years, building design has changed. And so we often now have mechanically ventilate buildings, some of which are very good. But then we also have buildings which do not provide sufficient ventilation for people. We did some work several years ago looking at nightingale wards and the difference between having the windows open and the windows closed. It saw an increase of about four times when we shut the windows compared to when we had the windows open.
Andrew Marr talks to two of the leading scientists who were at the forefront of research into fighting the spread of Covid-19. Professor Teresa Lambe was one of the Principal Investigators overseeing the Oxford/ AstraZeneca vaccine programme. She co-designed the vaccine and led the pre-clinical studies, as well overseeing the impact on immunity. She will be taking part in this year’s Royal Institution Christmas Lectures (to be aired on BBC 4 at 8pm on 28th, 29th and 30th December), alongside Professor Catherine Noakes. As an engineer Noakes is one of a tiny number of specialists worldwide who study ventilation and the spread of airborne diseases. From the beginning of the pandemic she has been instrumental in providing advice on how the virus transmits and the best strategies to control its spread.
Covid-19 is a respiratory disease and one of the books on this year’s Royal Society prize shortlist is at the centre of revived interest in how we breathe. James Nestor argues, in his book Breath, that humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly, with damaging consequences that reach beyond snoring, asthma and allergies. Drawing on ancient wisdom and the latest scientific studies Nestor highlights the huge benefits from breathing through your nose, rather than your mouth.
Producer: Katy Hickman
Photo: Professor Catherine Noakes doing a demonstration at the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures 2021