Basic science; All mater is in three forms, solid, liquid and gas. When it comes to water, it can go back and forth between a liquid and gas in relatively small range of specific temperatures.

We don’t realize it but along with our breathing, we can lose up to a liter of water a day from sweating and exhaling liquid. This liquid is called “insensible water loss!” Don’t forget; a large percentage of our body is made up of water.

Basic physiology; When you breathe in a molecule of oxygen, by the time it goes all the way through your lungs and into the air sacs, that oxygen molecule is up to body temperature (98.6°F/37°C) and 100 percent saturated with water. Your body warms it, wets it so it can slip through the lung membrane and into the blood stream. Think of it, if your body loads up the air in your lungs with water, you are exhaling to everybody around you all kinds of “stuff” that’s been in your lungs, including germs. Besides the liver and kidneys, the lungs are the third biggest filter in the body. That’s why after a night of drinking, you can smell alcohol on your breath in the morning, eight hours later. Exhaling toxins everywhere.

Back to basic science. That water that you’re exhaling is liquid water, called “particulate” water. The particles are so small that you can’t see them and so small they float in the air. But is still in the liquid state and not a gaseous state. This is what is called “droplet” or aerosol contamination, not just from coughing or sneezing but from just plain breathing. That’s why the virus causing the common cold is so contagious. Think of COVID-19.

Anyone who’s spent a night in a tent can tell you that the inside of the tent becomes damp by morning. Not from the rain or even dew, but from the water you’ve exhaled all night. It makes you wonder about enclosed spaces.

We live in a veritable “soup” of gases and airborne liquid that will be even more concentrated indoors. That’s why attention needs to be focused on proper air handling capabilities in stores and other close quarters.

Please be reminded that when interacting closely with another person. You are not just exchanging pleasantries.

Please. Still wear a mask in public. At least for now.