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Last Sunday my wife and a friend were on a 15 hr flight sitting next to each other. On Tuesday the friend tested positive for Covid and had mild but definite symptoms. On Thursday my wife tested positive on the home test with a definite fast developing second line. She is asymptomatic. Monday (today) my wife is still asymptomatic and still testing positive with a faint second line. I am negative. We are both vaccinated and boosted. How is it possible I did not catch Covid? Are there new, milder, less transmissible strains?
There is no easy explanation for a complex virus that is commonly transmitted by exhaled breath, during which an infected person may be asymptomatic and shed virus or fully-symptomatic and not shed virus. Being vaccinated and up to date with booster doses is great, especially for reduction of risk against hospitalization and death, but not necessarily against mild infection. Wearing a mask (for both the infected and persons exposed) helps to reduce the quantity (or numbers) of infectious viruses in exhaled breath, but the key is a well-fitting and high-quality mask. If it is not a well-fitting mask (worn below the nose or allows breath to escape easily around the sides) then the effect is much less or near zero. And lastly, ventilation of the air in an enclosed space is important. The more fresh air exchanges over time is better for any indoor room.
