The USA scientists assert that the sunlight can quickly destroy the coronavirus

US Department of Homeland Security and Science Advisor William Bryan announced the results of a new study by the Maryland Biosafety Analysis and Resistance Center, according to which UV rays and humidity have a powerful effect on the pathogen. About this writes Yahoo News with reference to AFP.

Irina Ziganshina

As follows from the results, the half-life of the virus - the time required to reduce its amount by half, is 18 hours at a temperature of 21-24 ° C with a humidity of 20% on a non-porous surface (for example, on door handles and stainless steel).

However, the half-life was reduced to 6 hours, when the humidity rose to 80%, and only 2 minutes, when sunlight was added to this. When the virus was sprayed in air, the half-life was 1 hour at a temperature of 21-24 ° C at a humidity of 20%. In the presence of sunlight, this indicator decreased to one and a half minutes.

The study of American scientists has not yet been officially published and is only awaiting expert evaluation. It is known that ultraviolet radiation does have a sterilizing effect, since it damages the genetic material of viruses and destroys their ability to replicate.

By the way, it was this effect that Donald Trump had in mind at the April 23 briefing.

Nevertheless, independent researchers should evaluate how reliable the methodology was, in particular, whether the intensity and wavelength of the ultraviolet light used in the experiment corresponded to natural lighting conditions.

If the results are confirmed, this will give hope that the spread of the disease during the summer may weaken. Which, of course, does not mean that the pathogen will be completely destroyed. Therefore, the principles of social distance will remain relevant. In addition, even if the incidence of COVID-19 slows down during the summer, the infection, like other seasonal viruses, will reactivate in the fall and winter.