Although rising temperatures and humidity generally influence the evolution of other coronaviruses, US researchers have concluded that SARS-Cov-2 will continue to spread this summer.
- Weather variations would not influence the evolution of the epidemic
- Virus will continue to spread through summer, researchers say
- Barrier gestures must be applied during the holidays
The question arose at the start of the pandemic: will the arrival of fine weather put an end to the Covid-19 epidemic as it does every year with the flu? American researchers have wondered if seasonal and geographic variations in climate could indeed change the trajectory of the pandemic, but it seems that summer warming alone cannot slow it.
At the pandemic stage, “modest changes”
They explain in the review Science than “even though variations in weather can play an important role in the evolution of endemic infections, in the pandemic stage of an emerging pathogen, climate causes only modest changes.”
No respite therefore for the 87 countries and territories of the world where the new coronavirus has found its marks since January. “Our results suggest that without effective control measures, large outbreaks are likely in wetter climates and summer weather will not significantly limit pandemic growth.”say the researchers.
While rising temperatures and humidity usually influence the spread of other coronaviruses, our weak herd immunity against the Sars-Cov-2 will prevent this evolution: too large a proportion of people have not been infected, which may be enough to maintain a rapid progress march. “The virus will spread quickly, whatever the weather conditions”specified in a communicated Rachel Baker, post-doctoral researcher at Princeton University.
Barrier gestures in effect even in summer
In addition, it will be necessary to be very vigilant and to respect barrier gestures all summer, because the sun, if it invites us to let go and relax, has no protective power against the virus. It will be quite possible to be contaminated during the summer period if we relax our efforts.
It therefore seems essential, as summer approaches, to recall the barrier gestures:
– it is recommended to wear a mask in public places and public transport,
– to respect the social distance of at least 1 meter,
– cough and/or sneeze into their elbow,
– to blow your nose with disposable tissues,
– not to touch your face during an outing,
– and of course, to wash your hands as often as possible with hydroalcoholic gel or water and soap.
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