2scents:> You are basing this on the assumption that.
> a. More exposure equals greater viral load.
yes, if two people are nearby, one is puffing virus, virus stays in the aerosol, ventilation is not working, the second person continues inhaling aerosol. I saw similar logic in multiple research papers on the topic.
> b. Once someone is infected, additional contact with other infected persons will result in a greater viral load.
only in a short time period. If one exposure leads to immune system reacting, then further exposures days later will be mitigated by the developed antibodies.
> c. Greater viral load is a factor as to how effective the immune response will be.
Yes. Virus starts with the initial intake, and then starts replicating. At the same time, immune system starts reacting. It is a race depends on initial starting point and quality of carious systems. Again, this is documented.
> d. Better ventilation reduces viral load and additional infections.
Yes, Ventilation removes aerosol containing virus. Best is increase in outside air intake. Many HVACs have a control – put outside intake to the maximum possible. Opening windows is as good. If can’t do it continuously, open windows every 30 minutes or so.
Historical trivia: some houses built in 1920s have huge heat radiators covered by metal enclosures. They were built (sans enclosures) after 1918 flu with the goal of being able to open windows to ventilate and run heating at the same time. When Great Depression came and also fear of flu decreased, they put enclosures to slow down heating as it was too expensive.
If air is circulated, filters should be MERV-15, I think, or better – need to check what HVAC can handle. The higher the filtration, the harder HVAC needs to work, there might be a limit.
Also, see that HVAC is not blowing directly from one person to another.
There were early suggestions to use dividers. This changed – dividers may create areas of non-circulating air. So, ok to put a couple in strategic areas – near a teacher or a cashier, for example, but not on all sides near every student.