Scripps Disease Expert Says COVID-19 Is In Ocean Spray – ‘I Would Not Go Into Water For $1 Million’ – 1st Surfer Arrested
Written by 991KBU on April 3, 2020
COVID-19 … like other viruses … is not killed by salt water. And it can be launched into the air by a crashing wave.
A leading atmospheric chemist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography says she wants to yell out her window at every surfer, runner, and biker she spots along the San Diego coast.
“I wouldn’t go in the water if you paid me $1 million right now,” Kim Prather says.
This quote is from the San Diego Union-Tribune … as picked up by the Los Angeles Times.
The beach, in her estimation, is one of the most dangerous places to be these days, as the novel coronavirus marches silently across California.
The Scripps oceanographer worries that the virus that causes COVID-19 could enter coastal waters in similar ways and transfer back into the air along the coast.
Coronaviruses are encased by what she calls a “hydrophobic” lipid, or fatty, membrane.
Fat tends to float to the surface of water, similar to oil in a vinaigrette dressing. When waves break in the surf zone and all the foam and bubbles pop, Prather said, “all that stuff — the viruses, the bacteria, pollutants, all the gooey, oily stuff — just launches into the air.”
Prather has found that the ocean churns up all kinds of particulate and microscopic pathogens, and every time the ocean sneezes with a big wave or two, it sprays these particles into the air.
Prather tells the newspapers …
NEWSCART 75513 KIM PRATHER
“It’s not going to kill you if you miss a few surfing sessions, but it could if you go out there and get in the wrong air.
“You can’t see the virus, you can’t smell it … It’s a real silent killer right now.”
Scripps oceanographer Kim Prather …. interviewed by the San Diego Union Tribune … and voiced by a KBUU reporter.
LA Times article: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-04-02/coronavirus-ocean-swimming-surfing-safe-beaches-los-angeles
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News of the first arrest of a surfer in Malibu … for violating the public health order to stay out of the ocean.
Some genius … a stand-up paddleboarder … tied up lifeguards and sheriff’s deputies for 40 minutes.
First … the surfer disobeyed lifeguards on the beach.
He disobeyed lifeguard on the Baywatch Malibu boat.
Then … he disobeyed sheriffs deputies on the beach.
A sheriff’s patrol boat was sent up from Marina Del Rey.
The surfer was now classified as the suspect.
The suspect remained in the water paddle boarding for approximately 30-40 minutes.
Once the Sheriff’s boat arrived on scene, the suspect complied and swam to shore.
The suspect was arrested for Disobeying a Lifeguard and Violation of a state emergency order.
The suspect was transported to the Malibu Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station … booked and released on a promise to appear.
