Direct sunlight, high humidity can kill Coronavirus really fast: US Scientists

Studies by US scientists have revealed that direct sunlight and high humidity can kill coronavirus really fast.

William Bryan, science and technology adviser to the Department of Homeland Security, told reporters at the White House on Thursday that the virus can die quickest in the presence of direct sunlight.

"Our most striking observation to date is the powerful effect that solar light appears to have on killing the virus - both surfaces and in the air...We've seen a similar effect with both temperature and humidity as well, where increasing the temperature and humidity or both is generally less favourable to the virus," he said.

It was also revealed that exposure to high humidity can cause half-life of the virus to drop to six hours and further exposure to a combination of high humidity and sunlight, the half-life could drop to two minutes, he added.

Meanwhile, with lots of myths floating around, WHO came up with Fact or Fiction around the new coronavirus.

Some of them can be found below:

Q. Am I likely to get COVID-19 is I swim in a swimming pool?

Fact: Swimming in a well-maintained, properly chlorinated pool is safe. However, it is advisable to stay away from al crowded areas including crowded swimming pools. Keep 1 metre distance from people who sneeze or cough even in a swimming area.

Q. Does eating rasam or curry protect from COVID-19?

Fact: There is no scientific evidence that rasam or curry protects from the virus.

To protect yourself:

• Regularly wash hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer

• cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or, and then dispose the tissue immediately.

• Keep 1 metre distance from someone sneezing or coughing

Q. Does drinking lots of water every 15 mins flush out the new coronavirus and protects against COVID-19?

Fact: There is no evidence that drinking lots of water flushes out the new coronavirus.

However, for good health in general, it is recommended that people should have 8 glasses of water every day.

Q. Does lemon or turmeric prevent COVID-19?

Fact: There is no scientific evidence that lemon/turmeric prevents COVID-19. In general, however, WHO recommends consuming adequate fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy diet.

Q. Does sunlight kill the new coronavirus?

Fact: There is no evidence that sunlight kills the new coronavirus.

Q. Does eating frozen foods and ice-cream spread the new coronavirus?

Fact: There is no scientific evidence that eating hygienically made frozen food and ice-cream spreads the new coronavirus.

Q. Only a dry cough is a symptom of COVID-19. If I have a runny nose or sputum, I do not have COVID-19. Is this correct?

Fact: No this is not correct. Some patients with COVID-19 do show a runny nose or sputum as symptoms.

Q. Eating chicken causes the spread of the new coronavirus.

Fact: Eating hygienically prepared and well-cooked chicken is safe and does not cause the spread of the new coronavirus.

Q. Eating mango cures the new coronavirus as the acids in the fruit kill it.

Fact: No. There is no scientific evidence that mango kills the new coronavirus. However, WHO recommends consuming adequate fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy diet.

Q. Does durian protect from COVID-19?

Fact: No. There is no scientific evidence that durian protects from COVID-19. However, WHO recommends consuming adequate fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy diet.

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