The idea that the new coronavirus could decrease in intensity during the summer has long been debated. In fact, it is the reaction of the coronavirus to high temperature and humidity. One study found that it weakens in such an environment.
The research was conducted by the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center at the request of the US Government. Specialists observed a regressive reaction of the virus to strong sunlight.
High heat and humidity could weaken the coronavirus
In fact, the sun kills the virus on surfaces and in the air. "Our most striking observation to date is the strong effect that sunlight appears to have on killing the virus, both on the surface and in the air," a Homeland Security spokesman, Bill Bryan, wrote Thursday.
"I saw a similar effect on both temperature and humidity. The increase in temperature or humidity or both is generally less favorable to the virus, "the official added.
Does the virus weaken when summer comes?
Scientists have been researching the possibility of the virus weakening since the temperature rose with the arrival of summer in the northern hemisphere.
"We identified one of the weak links in the chain of virus transmission. We have identified that humidity and heat are weak elements in this chain. We have identified that sunlight, UV rays are a weakness in this chain ", insisted Bill Bryan, an expert in Science and Technology at the Department of Homeland Security.
80% humidity is almost fatal for Covid-19
To support his claims, the expert presented some data in figures from the study - conducted by the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center.
According to these data, the half-life of the virus - the time required to halve its power - is 18 hours at a temperature between 21 and 24 degrees Celsius and a humidity of 20%, on a non-porous surface. These are surfaces such as door handles.
But this half-life is reduced to six hours, when the humidity level rises to 80% and to only two minutes when sunlight intervenes in the equation.
When the virus is suspended in the air, the half-life is one hour, at a temperature of 21 to 24 degrees Celsius and 20% humidity.
At the same humidity level and temperature, but in sunlight, this duration decreases to a minute and a half. Bill Bryan concludes that summer could create "an environment in which transmission can be reduced." But that doesn't mean the pathogen is completely eliminated.
And the results of this study alone cannot justify a lifting of the social distancing measures in place in the United States, he warned. Previous studies have shown that the virus survives better in cold and dry weather than in heat and humidity.
However, US health authorities believe that even if the number of new coronavirus infections decreases over the summer, the level of infection is likely to rise again in the fall and winter - as is the case with seasonal viruses.
The measures undertaken by various countries to put people under stringent lockdowns to stop the spread of the coronavirus have experienced an unforeseen and unique benefit. The outbreak has, at least in part, contributed to a noticeable drop in pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in some countries.
“Since the lockdown: Venice's canals have become crystal clear. Italy's coasts have dolphins coming nearer and nearer. Japan now has deer roaming free in the streets, and Thailand: the same with monkeys. China has record-breaking pollution cuts. The Earth has already begun showing signs of amazing things that are happening from the absence of human pollution. What if- and hear me out..- what if the entire human population used this as an opportunity to restart society on a greener, more environmentally conscious foot. What we're seeing in the span of a couple of days is amazing. A pipe dream.” Gina Mayer
The drastic measures enforced by China during the coronavirus outbreak have slashed deadly air pollution, potentially saving the lives of tens of thousands of people, a Stanford University researcher said.
Klopp said the pandemic could make companies and governments realize that other threats to humanity, including climate change, could be the most devastating and harmful.
"As we move to restart these economies, we need to use this moment to think about what we value," she said. "Do we want to go back to the status quo, or do we want to tackle these big structural problems and restructure our economy and reduce emissions and pollution?"
Now we must realize the harmful impacts we made to our planet are the deadliest one, we must understand that we have to stop pollution and finally start being friendly to our planet.
Is the pandemic virus a sign to stop humans actions against planet?
Let’s think about this one more time.
An American who spent two months in hospital with Covid-19 received a $ 1.1 million hospitalization bill. Fortunately, you may not have to pay anything for the 181-page-long bill.
Michael Flor, 70, was known to the public as the patient with the longest hospital stay, Covid-19, 62 days. He was on the verge of death several times - at one point doctors called his family to say goodbye, writes the Seattle Times.
Eventually, the man recovered and left the hospital, but, he says, he was close to dying of a heart attack again when he saw the hospitalization bill: $ 1.1 million, expenses broken down by 181 pages.
Fortunately for him, Medicare is insured, which covers most of the costs. In addition, being a Covid-19 patient, he may not pay anything, with the US government pumping over $ 100 billion into the health care system to help cover the costs of treating Covid-19 patients.
Break down, his expenses look like this:
Intensive Care admission: $ 9,736 per day. 42 days in solitary confinement cost $ 408,912
mechanical fan: $ 2,835 per day. Multiplied by 29 days, equals $ 82,215
about a quarter of the bill - the cost of drugs
2 days in which his internal organs (heart, kidneys, lungs) almost gave way and he was closest to death, about $ 100,000 (broken down into 20 pages).
In total, almost 3,000 expenses listed on the 181 pages, about 50 per day.
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for the coronavirus, he announced this on his personal page on social media.
Johnson mentioned in a video that he has "mild symptoms" of coronavirus, including fever and "a persistent cough." Johnson is the first world leader found to be infected with the virus.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel decided to be under self-quarantine after her doctor was found infected with the coronavirus. She has undergone two tests that were confirmed negative, but there are awaiting results for the third test.
Johnson and Merkel said that they will continue to work from home, being self-isolates.
"Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus," Johnson said via Twitter. "I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government's response via video-conference as we fight this virus. Together we will beat this."
If Johnson would not be able to accomplish his official duties, his role would be temporarily done by Dominic Raab, the U.K.'s foreign secretary and first secretary of state.
On the same day, some hours earlier the British health minister Matt Hancock, announced on his Twitter page that he is self-isolating at home with mild symptoms after he has tested positive for coronavirus.
The U.K. currently has over 12,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and 580 people have died from COVID-19, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Three hundred-year-old survivors of COVID-19 reveal the secrets of their longevity. They defeated the killer virus, even though no one gave them a chance! Three Americans over the age of 100 cured by COVID-19 reveal how they survived.
They lived during the two World Wars, faced other pandemics and endured the Great Depression of 1929-1933, without giving up. Even the killer virus COVID-19 could not defeat three Americans whose stories amaze the whole world. The optimism and fighting spirit of old women Rose Leigh-Manuell, Lilian Menendez and Jennie Stejna miraculously healed them after they became infected with the new coronavirus, which took 110,000 lives in the United States.
Rose Leigh-Manuell, 101, of West Sayville, New York, says she managed to beat the coronavirus because God always takes care of it. She was born during the Spanish flu epidemic and lived a long time because she is optimistic, says her son, Gary Leigh-Manuell, 63. Rose, who has 3 children, 17 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren, is guided by the words: "This is over". He doesn't put anything in his heart when he's in trouble. In April, he battled the coronavirus for two weeks. Although she was seriously ill, she did not go to Intensive Care. Rose lost her husband 50 years ago, but she never gave in to despair. She says the secret to disease resistance is that she has always been "a very sociable person." She worked as a firefighter dispatcher and then at a fish market until he retired at the age of 70.
Lilian Menendez of South Huntington, New York, who defeated the COVID-19 virus at the venerable age of 104, says it owes its longevity to her good genes. Her mother did not have white hair even at the age of 98. She taught her to always be strong. In order to maintain her health, Lilian has been very careful with her diet all her life. She ate more rice and beans, vegetables of all kinds, fruits during the week, and meat only on Saturdays and Sundays. After defeating the coronavirus in April, he feels very well: "I'm strong as a bull."
Jennie Stejna, who lives in Easton, Massachusetts, is also a stunning 103-year-old survivor. In May, when she became infected with the COVID-19 virus, her nephew, Dave Stejna, was convinced he would die. But he recovered after a few weeks and celebrated the event with a cold beer. Her grandson says the secret of her longevity is that she has always been very active, working all the time in her vegetable garden. She was always calm, she never got angry, no matter the difficult situations she went through. She always had good relations with absolutely everyone.
Before the start of the racing weekend in Spielberg in Formula 1, they presented an updated coloring of the safety car. Berndt Maylander added rainbow stickers and #WeRaceAsOne to the Mercedes AMG GT-R as part of the new Formula 1 campaign to combat COVID-19 and condemn racism and inequality. The same rainbow stickers appeared on a medical car.
“In addition to the official #WeRaceAsOne campaign, the Formula 1 safety car has a call for safe driving,” a press release said. - This is a reminder to the fans who watch the race on TV about the need to drive safely and carefully.
Berndt Maylander’s car also has the inscription #PurposeDriven on the FIA’s commitment to security, sustainable development, gender equality and diversity. ”