With more than 4.5 million cases of coronavirus worldwide, the pandemic grips its rage for a larger territory. China reported the first case on 31st December 2019. The declared “pandemic” is still active for accounting the lives of millions of people worldwide. With no vaccination or medication for the COVID-19, humanity continues to fight the crucifying situation. The health and virology departments find it challenging to elucidate the various aspects of coronavirus. Since the virus is immovable and finds its way easily into one’s body through contact transmission, it can have devastating effects.
How corona spreads: mythical or practical?
Answering the different perspectives over how corona spreads, there are numerous ways through which the coronavirus can tunnel its spiky surface. The virus fleets its grip briskly through the droplets in the air. Ironically, there are still some people who take the corona spread in yet another way. Do you think corona spread can be minimized if you drink alcohol?
Or do you still believe that holding your breath for 10 seconds without coughing means you are free from coronavirus disease? If in India, do you feel the hot and humid climatic conditions would prevent corona spread?
If you have any perspective similar to these corona myths, you cannot be more wrong. The corona spreads through the droplets produced from sneezing and coughing of a COVID infected person. The infection can be transmitted like a fire if not taken proper care of the infected people. There are different modes of coronavirus transmission that can adversely affect the people surrounding the infected area.
Is it all about air transmission?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the novel coronavirus paves its entry to your body mainly through the droplets in the air. Interestingly, a report published in early March states that around dozens of people were diagnosed with COVID-19 symptoms after attending a choir practice. The people were not in close contact with each other, nor they had shaken hands. Moreover, according to a report from China, after dining in an air-conditioned restaurant, three families of the neighboring tables fell sick. The families got diagnosed with COVID-19 symptoms.
Perhaps, saying that COVID-19 is airborne would be wrong. Instead, it can be well-contemplated over the question of how corona spreads in a narrower spectrum. The coronavirus has the potential for airborne spread.
In the present context, contact tracing is proving as a blessing to break the chains of the coronavirus infection transmission. The health experts believe that if contact tracing is appropriately applied, it can allow us to break the chain of the infection in different places that an infected person has traveled.
Does corona spread through food?
Currently, there is no evidence of coronavirus infection transmission through food. Yet, if the food is taken in packaged form, you must take care of it before its intake. Since the packaging of plastic or metals can be contaminated, it is better to use it with proper precautions. Countries are laying unique protocols to be followed for food safety due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It is not that the virus infection is not possible through food, yet various factors make it less likely. According to a report of the Centres for Science in the Public Interest, the coronavirus cannot survive for weeks at a time on surfaces. Since there is frequent washing of the utensils and cleaning of the covers, corona spread through food is less likely. If you are staying in an infected area and concerned about food, you can cook the food at 65 degrees Celsius for 3 minutes. The process will reduce the risk of the spread of novel coronavirus infection to a greater extent.
Infectious surface?
Well, you may be wondering how corona spreads through some surfaces. In the practical context, the study shows that coronavirus can be active for some hours to several days over a surface. How many times do you touch your doorknob?
The virus can live on the surfaces of plastic and metals for 2 to 3 days. Since the transmission gets described with incubation time between 2-10 days, it is essential to wash your hands properly after touching any such surfaces. There are various pieces of evidence for the persistence of coronavirus over inanimate surfaces.
Can coronavirus account for fecal-oral transmission?
Study shows that virus particles can be found in feces of some patients diagnosed with coronavirus. But scientists are not sure about the transmission through fecal matter. Yet, it is observed that if the infected person does not wash his hands properly, he can be a dynamic medium for the transmission. Although there is some evidence, coronavirus infection may lead to intestinal infection.
In conclusion
Many ideas portray the aspects of how coronavirus spreads from various mediums. Yet, you can stay safe by confronting with the necessary guidelines of washing hands and sanitizing the area effectively.
