![If we spit when we talk, does it spread the infection? [Jacob Lund / Shutterstock]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f6d61ba/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/840x560!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F3%2F26%2Fspitting%20while%20talking.jpg)
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Karen from Lakewood asked: "When we talk, we can’t help but spit a fine mist of saliva. Why isn’t anyone giving direction to limit unnecessary speaking when in public? At grocery stores/pharmacies for example."
Cleveland Clinic pulmonologist Dr. Nikita Desai said Karen has the right idea, which is why there are social distancing rules while in public.
“The average amount of saliva that does get sprayed for people that are particularly spitty with their talking is about six feet, so that is the recommendation," Desai said.
She said anyone who spits quite a bit while talking might want to follow Karen’s advice and avoid talking in public.
