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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWill warming spring temperatures slow the coronavirus outbreak?
WHETHER THE CORONAVIRUS thats quickly spreading around the world will follow the flu season and subside with springs arrival is unsatisfyingly uncertain, and many scientists say its too soon to know how the dangerous virus will behave in warmer weather.
Dozens of viruses exist in the coronavirus family, but only seven afflict humans. Four are known to cause mild colds in people, while others are more novel, deadly, and thought to be transmitted from animals like bats and camels. Health officials have labeled this new virus SARS-CoV-2 and its disease COVID-19.
The prospect that summer could stave off a pandemic is enticing. Last month, President Donald Trump tweeted about Chinas efforts to contain the virus, saying they would be successful, especially as the weather starts to warm.
Viruses that cause influenza or milder coronavirus colds do tend to subside in warmer months because these types of viruses have what scientists refer to as seasonality, so the presidents comments have some scientific backing. But its highly uncertain that SARS-CoV-2 will behave the same way. Those currently studying the disease say their research is too early to predict how the virus will respond to changing weather. (See how coronavirus compares to flu, Ebola and other outbreaks.)
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/02/what-happens-to-coronavirus-covid-19-in-warmer-spring-temperatures/?cmpid=org=ngp::mc=crm-email::src=ngp::cmp=editorial::add=SpecialEdition_20200306&rid=FB26C926963C5C9490D08EC70E179424
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,819 posts)elleng
(131,073 posts)Nonhlanhla
(2,074 posts)which is discouraging...
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)in SC is also warming, too, the trees are all in bloom, and my car is green from pollen. And, our state announced the first two suspected cases today. My lady thought I was being paranoid until she saw that on the news tonight.
Glad we've got enough to get through the next two months without leaving the house.