Jump to navigation

  • 24 hour numbers
  • Urgent Care
    • 617-253-1311
  • Urgent Mental Health Concerns
    • 617-253-2916
  • Violence Prevention & Response
    • 617-253-2300
  • All contact numbers
  • Close

 

MIT Medical logo
24-hour Numbers
Log in to HealthELife

 

Search

MIT Logo
  • Find Patient Services Care, claims, and more
  • Find a Provider By name, specialty, or location
  • Make an Appointment Online or over the phone
  • Learn about Health Plans Choices & coverage
  • Stay Healthy at MIT For the whole community
  • Start
    Here
    Info & resources just for you
    • Information For
    • Information for New Students
    • Information for Parents
    • Information for Undergraduate Students
    • Information for Graduate Students
    • Information for Campus Employees
    • Information for Lexington Employees
    • Information for New Employees
    • Information for Internationals
    • Information for Retirees
    • Information for Affiliates

COVID-19 testing | COVID-19 updates | Covid Pass testing results | Covid Pass testing hours
FAQ: COVID-19 Vaccine information

Covid-19 Updates

Should I hold my breath?

May 28, 2020 | Kim Schive

May 28: MIT Medical answers your COVID-19 questions. Got a question about COVID-19? Send it to us at medical@mit.edu, and we’ll do our best to provide an answer. 

Is it helpful or totally irrational to hold your breath when you are walking past someone?

In all likelihood, it’s not at all helpful. On the other hand, “totally irrational” seems a bit harsh for something many of us probably find ourselves unconsciously doing. In any case, the totally rational reality is that viral particles disperse quickly in air, and the turbulence caused by two people moving past each other only hastens that process. In addition, we know that length of exposure is a major factor in virus transmission. Fleeting encounters — even relatively close fleeting encounters — carry very little risk, particularly if both individuals are wearing masks.

This news story has not been updated since the date shown. Information contained in this story may be outdated. For current information about MIT Medical’s services, please see relevant areas of the MIT Medical website.

MEMBERS OF THE MIT COMMUNITY ONLY:
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, call MIT Medical’s COVID-19 hotline at 617-253-4865.

COVID-19 FAQ
COVID-19 Vaccine information
Testing for COVID-19 FAQ
Positive tests: Isolation, quarantine, and re-testing FAQ
Managing prescriptions FAQ
Student/Affiliate Extended Insurance Plan FAQ

SHARE THIS

this block intentionally left blank by CSS

Cambridge
MIT Medical
Building E23
25 Carleton Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
 
M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
617-253-4481
617-258-0656 (TTY)
Lexington
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Annex V
244 Wood Street
Lexington, MA 02421
 
M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
781-981-7080
781-981-6600 (TTY)
Urgent Care
MIT Medical
Building E23
25 Carleton Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
 
M–F 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sat, Sun 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.
617-253-1311
617-258-0656 (TTY)

 

FAST FIND

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Follow Us
  • News & Events
  • HealthELife
  • FAQs
  • Forms & Documents
  • Patient Rights
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Accreditation
  • Advisory Committees
  • Mission & Vision
  • Jobs

INFORMATION FOR:

  • Information For
  • Information for New Students
  • Information for Parents
  • Information for Undergraduate Students
  • Information for Graduate Students
  • Information for Campus Employees
  • Information for Lexington Employees
  • Information for New Employees
  • Information for Internationals
  • Information for Affiliates
  • Information for Retirees
Follow Us Facebook iconTwitter icon
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
© 2021 MIT Medical All rights reserved