Researchers at Australia's National Science Agency conducted a study to test Coronavirus’ survivability on smooth surfaces like paper money, phone screens, metal, etc. and found the average lifespan to be twenty-eight days while the flu virus can only survive for eleven days. Scientists had already stated that Coronavirus is an exceptionally robust and resilient virus and this study has proven it.
It is worth noting that these tests were carried out under controlled laboratory conditions that prompted the virus’s survival. The temperature was held at sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit or twenty degrees Celsius and the surfaces were placed in darkness to protect the virus from the adverse effects that UV light has on the virus. The surfaces also did not have any fresh mucus on them in contrast to everyday real-life surfaces. Mucus contains white blood cells and antibodies that destroy viruses.
So, considering all these factors Coronavirus’ survivability in the real world would be considerably reduced but the test still proves that disinfecting and cleaning phone screens and other exposed surfaces are essential no matter what. Although this does show that wearing face masks is more important than wearing gloves or controlling contact with exposed surfaces. This has also been backed by experts from the Centre of Disease Control that stated that the risk of transmission from touching surfaces is unlikely and that the real most common vectors are respiratory droplets that are formed by sneezing or coughing.
Some new reports also suggest that the virus becomes airborne in enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces where activities that involve heavy breathing like singing or exercise are carried out. This just shows how bad an idea it was to reopen gyms and theatres etc.
All of these factors raise the question that people have been wondering since the outbreak was labeled a pandemic; will society ever be able to return to normal again? Will people be able to return to their day-to-day activities as they did pre-pandemic? This pandemic has been a trying time for people all over the world and it has taught people patience and perseverance and it also has exposed the true capabilities of world leaders in crisis management and also exposed the mentality of people and how they handle crises in their communities and their willingness to help and support their communities.
Read next: Clinical Trials And The Future Of A COVID-19 Vaccine (infographic)
It is worth noting that these tests were carried out under controlled laboratory conditions that prompted the virus’s survival. The temperature was held at sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit or twenty degrees Celsius and the surfaces were placed in darkness to protect the virus from the adverse effects that UV light has on the virus. The surfaces also did not have any fresh mucus on them in contrast to everyday real-life surfaces. Mucus contains white blood cells and antibodies that destroy viruses.
So, considering all these factors Coronavirus’ survivability in the real world would be considerably reduced but the test still proves that disinfecting and cleaning phone screens and other exposed surfaces are essential no matter what. Although this does show that wearing face masks is more important than wearing gloves or controlling contact with exposed surfaces. This has also been backed by experts from the Centre of Disease Control that stated that the risk of transmission from touching surfaces is unlikely and that the real most common vectors are respiratory droplets that are formed by sneezing or coughing.
Some new reports also suggest that the virus becomes airborne in enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces where activities that involve heavy breathing like singing or exercise are carried out. This just shows how bad an idea it was to reopen gyms and theatres etc.
All of these factors raise the question that people have been wondering since the outbreak was labeled a pandemic; will society ever be able to return to normal again? Will people be able to return to their day-to-day activities as they did pre-pandemic? This pandemic has been a trying time for people all over the world and it has taught people patience and perseverance and it also has exposed the true capabilities of world leaders in crisis management and also exposed the mentality of people and how they handle crises in their communities and their willingness to help and support their communities.
Read next: Clinical Trials And The Future Of A COVID-19 Vaccine (infographic)