Fact or fiction: Is the summer heat slowing down the virus?
As the sweltering, heavy midwestern air moves in for the summer, it might feel like it’s time for COVID-19 to move out.
Early speculation about the new coronavirus suggested the number of cases might ease with the summer and come back with the fall. After all, the flu comes and goes with the seasons, right?
So, is it relatively safe to relax some of the precautions you’ve been taking to stop the spread of the virus? Dr. Robert Citronberg, director of infectious disease at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, says it’s not time to let down your guard.
“We know that coronaviruses in general tend to be seasonal viruses,” Dr. Citronberg said during a recent Facebook Live event. “They don’t do as well in hot and humid weather. But we don’t know about this virus particularly yet.”
“Even in higher temperatures and humidity, the virus might be less active, but it’s still out there. The problem with hot and humid weather is that people are congregating more too,” he says. “So even if there is a beneficial effect from weather conditions, that could be easily negated because people are congregated so much more.”
Wearing a mask and keeping your distance from others are proven ways to stop the spread of this serious virus, even when it’s hot outside. And while the economies of both Illinois and Wisconsin continue to open back up, you should still following distancing rules if you go out and about, limiting your contact with others whenever possible.
Dr. Citronberg’s comments came during a Facebook Live event where he and other experts answered questions about common COVID-19 myths. You can find the full video below.
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About the Author
Mike Riopell, health enews contributor, is a media relations coordinator with Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. He previously worked as a reporter and editor covering politics and government for the Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald and Bloomington Pantagraph, among others. He enjoys bicycles, home repair, flannel shirts and being outside.
I just watched the facebook covid19 presentation, it was very informative and I learned much about masks, social distancing and my chance of catching this thing, thank you for the presentation.
This panal was great! It includes updated information, scientific evidence and vulnerability. The selection of questions were great. All my questions was answered. Thank you Jim for leading AAH this way. Thank you to all the doctors, stay safe. Thank you for keeping us informed . I’m proud to be part of the AAH team.
This was very informative. Thank you for the information, it answered so many questions for me regarding vulnerability. I now understand that if my underlying conditions are being treated and under control, I can go out and just keep social distancing and mask onAnd just keep washing my hands. Thank you so much.