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House burping trend emerges in US for indoor ventilation

Key Points
  • A trend called "house burping" is gaining popularity on US social media, involving ventilating homes by opening windows.
  • Carl-Johan Fraenkel, a healthcare hygiene expert, notes it has benefits from an infection control perspective, supported by studies on reduced infections in schools.
  • The practice stems from a German tradition and was promoted during the pandemic by Angela Merkel as an effective way to combat indoor coronavirus spread.

A new term, "house burping," is trending on social media in the United States. It involves ventilating homes by opening windows to replace stale air with fresh air. Carl-Johan Fraenkel, a chief physician in healthcare hygiene at Skåne University Hospital, says there is a point from an infection perspective.

The trend reportedly originates from an old German tradition called "lüften," which simply means opening windows to air out homes. During the coronavirus pandemic, Angela Merkel urged Germans to open windows as a simple way to reduce infection spread. She stated it was a cheaper and more effective method to combat the coronavirus indoors.

She stated it was a cheaper and more effective method to combat the coronavirus indoors.

Angela Merkel

According to Carl-Johan Fraenkel, studies show that opening windows in schools leads to fewer infections. In winter, ventilating for a short time is sufficient, as cold outdoor air and warm indoor air exchange faster.

According to Carl-Johan Fraenkel, studies show that opening windows in schools leads to fewer infections.

Carl-Johan Fraenkel, chief physician in healthcare hygiene at Skåne University Hospital

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