A few important coronavirus facts you may have missed

Will we see the end of COVID-19 when the warm weather hits?

That’s just one question I see people asking a lot online right now. It’s also a question I hear friends and family ask when we communicate — albeit remotely since everyone is social distancing.

Because so much information keeps coming at us, it’s not easy to really digest it. The folks on the news channels are busy keeping up with numbers… telling us how many are infected, how many new cases have popped up around the country and how many new hot spots have erupted, and so on and so on.

They’re also trying to share important facts about how we all can try to avoid coming in contact with the virus but even that is hard to keep up with.

With all of the headlines that are screaming the latest frightening statistics at us, it’s easy to see how you may have missed some of the small details that could matter most in the coming weeks and months.

So, with that in mind, here are five facts you can hold onto and maybe share with your friends — especially the ones who keep asking if the weather will have any bearing on the virus (yes, I address it below).

Some of this you may have heard before, but I promise, it bears repeating. But there will be some new things you learn, here, to keep yourself safe…

1. The virus can live on surfaces for up to 3 days

You may be worried about standing in line to get into the grocery store behind the person who is coughing into their arm or sneezing into that tissue but putting your hands out to grab a basket could be just as dangerous (or even worse).

That’s because studies by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have found that coronavirus is capable of living on surfaces like plastic and stainless steel for up to three days.

Yup, someone with the virus could have pushed that grocery basket through the store three days ago and left traces of it for you today.

Related: This is how long coronavirus lives in the air and on surfaces

So, be sure to use a disinfecting wipe before you touch objects in public or better yet, wear gloves and use hand sanitizer the second you remove them.

2. You’re at higher risk if you’re overweight or obese

I recently read that being overweight or obese can increase the virulence of a virus. That’s because carrying around extra weight could actually interfere with your immune response and allow any virus (including COVID-19) that gets into your system to become stronger and more dangerous.

Experts are warning that obesity leads to higher viral loads— meaning the amount of the virus detected in a patient. Extra weight can also cause problems with taking deep breaths once you have an upper respiratory infection and influence the ability of the virus to spread to your lungs more easily.

If this sounds like you, be cautious, but don’t worry about dieting now. That can wear down your immune system. Just eat healthy whole foods and plan to get back to your weight loss goals when this nightmare is over.

3. Summer weather won’t send the virus running

There’s been a lot of speculation in the news that the coming summer months could spell an end to coronavirus in the U.S.

However, according to the doctors and scientists studying the virus, speculation is all that is.

“Unfortunately, the virology of COVID-19 does not diminish in warm temperatures,” says Rocio Salas-Whalen, MD, of New York Endocrinology. “Although the virus may have a seasonal cycle, it is not reasonable to expect a huge decline in transmission due to warmer weather alone. We see the largest decrease in infections when people refrain from being in locations with poor ventilation and/or large crowds.”

4. 20 seconds is only the minimum

You’ve probably heard by now that washing your hands well and regularly is a must if you want to avoid coronavirus. With that comes the recommendation for 20 seconds of soap and water.

Still, most people have not heard the news that those 20 seconds are the bare minimum and shooting for 20 to 30 seconds is better. It’s also important to remember that that timeframe goes far slower than you think it does so be sure to count slowly.

Then apply lotion for a protective moisture barrier. Dry, cracked skin is an easy way for germs to get inside

5. Take off your shoes

Also, while everyone is reminding us to wash our hands, you may have missed the information that kicking off your shoes at the door is vital too.

In fact, they’ve found that like with tuberculosis, coronavirus droplets can be carried inside on the bottom of your shoes.

So, if you want your home to stay coronavirus-free, your shoes should remain outside at all times.

One more fact

Now, I hope these five facts haven’t added to your stress level much. Because there’s something else you need to remember…

Stress, both mental and physical, can wear a body down fast. In fact, stress can weaken anyone’s immune system. And I’m speaking from experience…

I’ve told you about how I became a health researcher because of my family heart “curse.” That may sound dramatic, but when your family members begin dropping like flies over a decade, it can sure feel like doom.

And that feeling of heavy doom is stress… worrying over what you may or may not be able to control in your life.

But like everything else, I researched how I should deal with stress, so it didn’t make my risk for a heart attack any worse. That’s when I discovered the power of adaptogen herbs…

Adaptogen herbs help with stress management, healthy cortisol production, energy levels, hormone production and strengthen the adrenals — all of the things that can become unbalanced and contribute to poor immune health, weight gain, fatigue, trouble sleeping and a restless, worried mind and body.

That’s because adaptogen herbs, like Ashwagandha Root, Rhodiola Rosea Extract and Holy Basil Powder support healthy cortisol levels, reduce anxiety, boost your mood and brain health.

Hang in there, friends. And remember to take it one day at a time.

Sources:

1. How long does coronavirus live on different surfaces? — The Guardian
2. The ‘other’ condition that can put you on the danger list for COVID-19 and flu — Easy Health Options
3. It’s summer in Australia, and the coronavirus is circulating there — evidence that warm weather won’t necessarily curtail the outbreak — Business Insider
4. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: increased transmission in the EU/EEA and the UK – seventh update — European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
5. The Power of Hand-Washing to Prevent Coronavirus — WebMD
6. Can Coronavirus Live On Shoes And Be Brought Into Our Homes? — HuffPost.com
7. 13 Coronavirus Facts You Don’t Already Know — Best Life