Jonathan Ball

Jonathan Kelvin Ball is professor of molecular virology at the University of Nottingham. His research relates to emerging viruses, viral vaccines and treatments, and blood-borne infections. He is also director of the Centre for Global Virus Research at the University of Nottingham.

Quotes

• If this (COVID-19) transmission mode is contributing significantly then control becomes increasingly difficult. It's looking like this coronavirus is behaving very differently to SARS and MERS, and this is a big concern.
  • Jonathan Ball (2020) cited in "Coronavirus Update: Virus Confirmed In 15 Countries As China’s Death Toll Rises" on IFL Science!, 27 January 2020.

• In one well-controlled study in a hospital setting, the face mask was as good at preventing influenza infection as a purpose-made respirator. Respirators, which tend to feature a specialized air filter, are specifically designed to protect against potentially hazardous airborne particles. However, when you move to studies looking at their effectiveness in the general population, the data is less compelling - it's quite a challenge to keep a mask on for prolonged periods of time.
  • Jonathan Ball (2020) cited in "Wuhan coronavirus: face masks 'do nothing' - virologist" on RNZ, 27 January 2020.