SUNLIGHT could kill the coronavirus within minutes, the US Department of Homeland Security claimed on Thursday.
New research from the DHS Science and Technology directorate found that high humidity, temperatures, and sunlight kills the virus in saliva droplets on non-porous surfaces and in the air.
“Our most striking observation to date is the powerful effect that solar light appears to have in killing the virus on surfaces and in the air,” said DHS Science and Technology Advisor Bill Bryan.
“We’ve seen a similar effect as well where increasing the temperature and humidity or both is generally less favorable to the virus.”
The game-changing findings of the joint effort between the DHS’s Science and Technology directorate and Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force was revealed at Thursday’s White House press briefing.
The virus dies quickest in the presence of direct sunlight, and it survives best in indoor conditions, the study found.
Americans should be extra careful to properly disinfect areas that aren’t exposed to direct sunlight, particularly within indoor spaces, according to Bryan.
“I can tell you that bleach will kill the virus in five minutes, isopropyl alcohol will kill the virus in 30 seconds,” said Bryan.
“And that’s with no manipulation. If you rub it, it goes away even faster,” he added.
DHS and the White House coronavirus task force will continue to look at how the virus in saliva and how it reacts to other disinfectants.
Although “summer-like conditions” will leads to a decrease in virus transmissions, Bryan said Americans aren’t yet in the clear to return back to normal outings.
“It would be irresponsible to say the summer will kill the virus and it’s a free for all and people ignore guidance,” Bryan said.
“That’s not the case.”
The DHS findings were no surprised to Trump, who made sure to point out he had made a similar observation at an earlier coronavirus presser.
“I once mentioned that maybe it does go away with light,” he said at Thursday’s briefing.
“Maybe the fake news didn’t like the suggestion that it goes away with light.”
However, the World Health Organization has warned that sunlight does not prevent coronavirus.
On the myth busters page of its website, it says: “Exposing yourself to the sun or to temperatures higher than 25C degrees DOES NOT prevent the coronavirus disease.
“You can catch COVID-19, no matter how sunny or hot the weather is. Countries with hot weather have reported cases of COVID-19.”
It also warns against using ultraviolet lamps, including tanning lamps, to try to kill virus.
“UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation,” the WHO warned.
Ultraviolet light damage skin lead to cancer if people get enough of it.
Source: the-sun
