Airborne particles may be assisting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 Reducing pollution seems to reduce the

[applegrove]

Airborne particles may be assisting the spread of SARS-CoV-2

Reducing pollution seems to reduce the rate of infection

Science and technology

Mar 26th 2020 edition

The Economist

https://amp.economist.com/science-and-technology/2020/03/26/airborne-particles-may-be-assisting-the-spread-of-sars-cov-2?__twitter_impression=true

"SNIP......


Pollution and disease have long been associated in people’s minds. The very word “malaria”, for example, means “bad air” in Italian. But the germ theory of infection, developed in the 19th century, knocked on the head the idea that it is the air itself which causes illness. Rather, bad smells indicate sources of pathogens, such as sewage, which are best avoided. A paper just published by a group of Italian researchers does, however, posit the idea that sars-cov-2, the virus behind the covid-19 pandemic, might be getting a helping hand from atmospheric pollution.

....SNIP"

(The rest of the article is behind a paywall - sorry i did not get to read it either).

[Raine]

1. Interesting

Thanks!

[BigmanPigman]

2. I learned something new today.

The reason the colds and flu improve with warm weather is due to longer days, people are outside more and UV from the sun kills the flu germs. Of course you still can get it in any weather and at any time of the year, but the sun helps to kill it. (From CNN or MSNBC).