Study: Opening car window can prevent COVID-19 transmission

As restrictions begin to ease in the Bay Area, a new Harvard-led study suggests opening a car window slightly can help keep COVID-19 from spreading in vehicles.

Because modern cars can be airtight — generally a good thing — if the COVID-19 virus is present, it has nowhere to go and is spread more easily to people inside, the study says.

But by lowering windows by a mere 3 inches, the risk of spreading the virus drops significantly, according to the report. Wearing a mask and washing hands after a trip is recommended by the report.

The report notes that because asymptomatic people can spread the virus, opening a car window when traveling with others is prudent whether you are in a personal vehicle or in a rideshare.