This BBC News report headline is an attention seeker but I personally doubt that the study undertaken actually demonstrates any potential increased risk to human health from the spread of viruses across a local geography.

Obviously, it stands to reason that there will be more viruses in the air wherever people are inclined to gather, especially so on a cruise ship itself. It’s a risk that can be mitigated, but a risk all the same.

I don’t think the study can tell us whether living downwind of cruise ship emmissions puts us at any significant public health risk from viruses. In this respect, the study gives rise to more questions than answers.

Certainly, I suspect that the far greater risk to public health arises from emissions more generally. Cruise ships do pump out a lot of emissions that are known to harm people by way of burning fossil fuels. As I understand it, the amount of emissions avoided by electric plug ins at the port is extremely limited at present.

As always, any contributions from followers who better understand the science would be appreciated.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c75y04x537ko?at_format=image&at_link_type=web_link&at_link_origin=BBC_Hampshire&at_link_id=8633439E-7C27-11F1-842B-91FB276575EB&at_ptr_name=facebook_page&at_campaign_type=owned&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_medium=social&at_campaign=Social_Flow&fbclid=IwY2xjawS9rEBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF1bFVKb3V2U3RhRXp1YVJ0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuiaahkbFow7YT-mieEkNPetbOafYtdELK36gpAxKk8aT-PnveS8lL-DlAgz_aem_MI97BkmbZ1PtFAhl3VxmJw