How far do droplets spread?

• A. 12 feet
• B. 3 feet
• C. As far away as 6 feet
• D. 2 feet

Answer: (C)

Droplets travel distance is tied to how they are expelled and how gravity acts on them. Large respiratory droplets tend to settle out of the air quickly, so in typical close-contact situations they don’t travel far, but the practical distance used for reducing exposure is about six feet. That’s why the best choice is the one describing six feet—the upper limit of where droplets commonly reach before settling under ordinary conditions. The other numbers either underestimate or overstate the common droplet range (twelve feet is farther than droplets usually travel; two or three feet are shorter than the typical close-contact reach). Keep in mind that smaller aerosols can stay suspended and travel further in certain environments, but this question focuses on droplets.