Speech patterns can amplify the flow of virus transmission, according to a new study by researchers at Princeton University. They claim that while science has shown COVID-19 can be spread by asymptomatic people by "breathing, speaking, laughing, singing, or even exercise," certain speech patterns can also affect how fast and far the virus spreads. For example, pronouncing the letter "P" can produce a "jet-like transport" of the virus.
Researchers said a particularly problematic phrase, "Peter Piper picked a peck train of puffs," poses a greater risk of spreading the virus in a confined space than a sentence without the "P" sounds, according to Ladders.
The new report also confirms previous research that concluded laughing and singing raise the risk of transmission. The News Tribune reported that a COVID-19 "superspreader" infected 52 other people during a 2.5-hour choir practice in Mount Vernon, Washington, in the spring. Two of these choir members died. That news triggered a revaluation of the risks of singing or even talking loudly in crowds.
Speaking loudly even for 30 seconds can project aerosols much farther than 6 feet, said the Princeton scientists, but even using your "indoor voice" over a prolonged period can cause the same reaction.
"Lots of people have written about coughs or sneezes and the kinds of things you worry about with the flu," said study author Howard A. Stone, according to Ladders. "But those features are associated with visible symptoms, and with this disease, we are seeing a lot of spread by people without symptoms. Masks really cut this flow tremendously. This identifies why most masks play a big role."