Administration study finds high temperatures, humidity, and sunlight kill the coronavirus

[mystery-ak]

Administration study finds high temperatures, humidity, and sunlight kill the coronavirus
by Cassidy Morrison
 | April 23, 2020 06:49 PM



A Trump administration study found that heat, humidity, and sunlight make it harder for the coronavirus to survive on surfaces and in the air.

"Our most striking observation to date is the powerful effect that solar light appears to have on killing the virus, both on surfaces and in the air," said Bill Bryan, the head of the Science and Technology Directorate in the Department of Homeland Security.

The study found that exposure to sunlight, high heat, and humidity cuts the half-life of the virus on surfaces from up to 18 hours to a matter of minutes.

When the virus is exposed to sunlight, in addition to temperatures above 75 degrees with a humidity of about 80%, it can die in minutes.

"If you inject ... the sun, the half-life goes from six hours to two minutes," Bryan said. "That's how much of an impact the UV rays has on the virus."

Bryan touted the study as a way to see the "weak links" in the chain of virus transmission. Summer conditions, Bryan added, could decrease transmission, "and that's an opportunity for us to get ahead."

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/administration-study-finds-high-temperatures-humidity-and-sunlight-kill-the-coronavirus

[Smokin Joe]

So, I'm in a State that Has:

Low humidity
Low sunlight (in our late Fall, Winter, and early Spring in terms of hours because of latitude, and may be getting up to average now)

Low temperatures, as a rule (North Dakota).

We only have 709 cases of 16330 tested. (State population estimated at 763,000 last year).
Of which 18 are in hospital, 65 total have been hospitalized, 15, unfortunately have died, and 269 have recovered.
Active case total, 425.

Unless the disease presents as far more asymptomatic and low intensity cases abound, shouldn't we have had far more?

(not complaining, just pondering).

[jmyrlefuller]

So, I'm in a State that Has:

Low humidity
Low sunlight (in our late Fall, Winter, and early Spring in terms of hours because of latitude, and may be getting up to average now)

Low temperatures, as a rule (North Dakota).

We only have 709 cases of 16330 tested. (State population estimated at 763,000 last year).
Of which 18 are in hospital, 65 total have been hospitalized, 15, unfortunately have died, and 269 have recovered.
Active case total, 425.

Unless the disease presents as far more asymptomatic and low intensity cases abound, shouldn't we have had far more?

(not complaining, just pondering).

The virus primarily spreads through close contact especially in confined and crowded spaces. North Dakota is sparsely populated and thus doesn't have the same issues as New York City.

The fomite hypothesis, the idea that people can get this virus by touching a surface, has never been thoroughly examined. It's a theoretical idea based on the idea that viruses can supposedly survive in deal conditions on surfaces for days, but the virus has to either be touched onto a mucous membrane or inhaled to have an effect (we do know it's neither foodborne nor waterborne, so swallowing something that has the virus on it won't have an effect). There's also the issue of certain porous surfaces (such as money or cloth) trapping the virus on its own surface and making it even more difficult for the virus to break free and infect someone. That said, this study can shed some light on policy ideas: outdoor activity should be encouraged, and closing outdoor surfaces such as playgrounds would likely have no effect on spreading or inhibiting the virus.

[Smokin Joe]

The virus primarily spreads through close contact especially in confined and crowded spaces. North Dakota is sparsely populated and thus doesn't have the same issues as New York City.

The fomite hypothesis, the idea that people can get this virus by touching a surface, has never been thoroughly examined. It's a theoretical idea based on the idea that viruses can supposedly survive in deal conditions on surfaces for days, but the virus has to either be touched onto a mucous membrane or inhaled to have an effect (we do know it's neither foodborne nor waterborne, so swallowing something that has the virus on it won't have an effect). There's also the issue of certain porous surfaces (such as money or cloth) trapping the virus on its own surface and making it even more difficult for the virus to break free and infect someone. That said, this study can shed some light on policy ideas: outdoor activity should be encouraged, and closing outdoor surfaces such as playgrounds would likely have no effect on spreading or inhibiting the virus.

Well, we have confined for six months out of the year, just not so much crowded (except bars and restaurants, and they are shut down). Still, the Health Department says of the 709 cases here, 296 were community spread, 185 close contact, and 99 household contact. The others are credited to travel, possible travel, or are still under investigation.

Where playgrounds become problematical is that little kids aren't especially conscious of hygiene, and that even with a short latency on surfaces and eliminating the possibility of fomites for discussion purposes, the chances for kid-to-kid transmission seem high, and then the household may pick it up from there. It's the same reason for keeping the schools closed. Children become the vectors for the latest pathogens in either case.

[skeeter]

Yeah, its called Spring, the traditional end of the flu season.

How much did this study cost?