Outdoors / masks - which offers most protection?

[shakenandstirred10]

A work colleague has tested positive for Covid.

She started with symptoms on Wednesday and I had contact with her on Tuesday.

My contact was in the work car park. We were both getting into our cars.
I’d say we were a meter apart and we only spoke for a minute maybe two.

Another colleague had contact with her in the office, they were roughly a meter apart but the positive person had a mask on at the time, the other person didn’t.

Neither of us have been contacted by test and trace so I assume we’re not classed as contacts, but our work have asked us to stay at home for the next two weeks.

Just wondering what people think, are we both at the same risk of contracting it.

I'd say your risk is tiny. Being outdoors really minimises the risk.

@ScarlettDarling

I'd say your risk is tiny. Being outdoors really minimises the risk.

@ScarlettDarling

I’ve read this too about being outdoors.
I wouldn’t usually get so close to someone but our cars were parked next to each other so we had a brief “hello how are you” chat as we were getting in.

@KarmaNoMore

If you are not wanted back at work is for a reason, you may have seen colleague in the car park briefly but, that person may have been asymptomatic and spreading the virus for days.

The track and trace system is crap so don’t use the lack of contact to ignore the rules, your place of work has let you know and that is more than enough.

So do the right thing, stay at home as much as you should for the days you are requested to, don’t go out, if you are totally alone on this and need to pop out for food, select a quiet time, put your mask on, disinfect your hands repeatedly at every step and keep 2 meters away from EVERYONE.

@KarmaNoMore

I don’t work in the same building at this person though.

We have two separate buildings. We don’t even use the same canteen or facilities.

My work haven’t told me to isolate, they’ve just told me not to go into work.

I told them I’d been in contact with her outside and they then said to work from home for the next two weeks.

So should I be doing the full on isolation?

Outdoors transmission rates are x300 less than indoors and with the wind and rain we've had recently, even at a 1m distance any aerosol would be rapidly dispersed to very low concentrations. Indoors for 15 minutes is the guide for self-isolating. 1-2m outdoors is far, far lower risk than that.

I would probably not full on self isolate but only put myself in very low risk outdoor situations, such as outdoor exercise in quiet areas, and avoid indoor spaces with other people.

Track and trace doesn't cover situations such as being served 2m away from an infected person while waiting for a takeaway, or queuing for the tills in a supermarket, both higher risk situations than OP's.

I would do same as Bogroll.
Outdoors talking to someone for a moment the risk is tiny.