Monday 6 April 2020

Summertime and Covid-19 Eases?

There has been some debate about whether the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK could be eased (as it appears to be in the case of colds and influenza) by summer temperatures (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/05/scientists-ask-could-summer-heat-help-beat-covid-19). One must state upfront, however, is that this is a very new virus and people really have no idea how it will react seasonally (although it seems to be thriving in many parts of the world with variable ambient temperatures). I have always been led to believe that the 'disappearance' of colds and 'flu in the summer in the UK is more down to changes in human behaviour (becoming less likely to congregate in groups in relatively small rooms for extended periods) rather than a change in the viability of the virus. It is worth pointing out that, even if there was a decline in severe Covid-19 infections in the summer months (linked to possible seasonal changes in the immune system and/or viability of the virus in the air or on surfaces), the infection might well spread in the population to 'return' as the winter closes in. I don't think we can assume that summertime will 'cure' us but it might well be more difficult to maintain social distancing at that time.

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