to change the risk for you

[GoodTaste]

The expression " to change the risk for you" is not clear to me. Logically, it should have meant "to make you infected." But "change the risk" can be either way: less risky and riskier. What does " to change the risk for you" actually mean? It seems to me that “It really takes a lot of these single-digit size droplets to make you infected" would be unambiguous.

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This makes intuitive sense, experts said. But they noted that aerosols, because they are smaller than 5 microns, would also contain much less, perhaps millions-fold less, virus than droplets of 500 microns.


“It really takes a lot of these single-digit size droplets to change the risk for you,” said Dr. Joshua Rabinowitz, a quantitative biologist at Princeton University.


Apart from avoiding crowded indoor spaces, the most effective thing people can do is wear masks, all of the experts said. Even if masks don’t fully shield you from droplets loaded with virus, they can cut down the amount you receive, and perhaps bring it below the infectious dose.

Source: NYTimes May 29, 2020
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/29/h...nytimesscience

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

The expression " to change the risk for you" is not clear to me. Logically, it should have meant "to make you infected." But "change the risk" can be either way: less risky and riskier. What does " to change the risk for you" actually mean? It seems to me that “It really takes a lot of these single-digit size droplets to make you infected" would be unambiguous.

=================

This makes intuitive sense, experts said. But they noted that aerosols, because they are smaller than 5 microns, would also contain much less, perhaps millions-fold less, virus than droplets of 500 microns.


“It really takes a lot of these single-digit size droplets to change the risk for you,” said Dr. Joshua Rabinowitz, a quantitative biologist at Princeton University.


Apart from avoiding crowded indoor spaces, the most effective thing people can do is wear masks, all of the experts said. Even if masks don’t fully shield you from droplets loaded with virus, they can cut down the amount you receive, and perhaps bring it below the infectious dose.

Source: NYTimes May 29, 2020
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/29/h...nytimesscience

It's correct. It's like saying to make a difference.

The doctor believes that it takes a lot of droplets to change the degree of hazard, to make a difference — that one or two droplets wouldn't matter.

 

[GoesStation]

You'll often see risk used to mean "danger". I don't recommend exchanging the words, but it's so common that the old distinction between them is largely gone.

The writer meant It really takes a lot of these single-digit size droplets to change the danger to you.

 

[Tarheel]

GoodTaste, a change can, of course, be a change for the better or a change for the worse. In this case a change in the risk is a change for the worse (increased risk).

 

[GoodTaste]

GoodTaste, a change can, of course, be a change for the better or a change for the worse. In this case a change in the risk is a change for the worse (increased risk).

What is the marker by which to clearly judge whether it is for the better or for the worse? Simply by logic?

 

[GoesStation]

What is the marker by which to clearly judge whether it is for the better or for the worse? Simply by logic?

It's clear from context. Does exposure to a lot of droplets increase or decrease your risk of infection?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

What is the marker by which to clearly judge whether it is for the better or for the worse? Simply by logic?

Yes, by logic. The writer assumes we understand that when the amount of exposure increases, the threat increases.