Date Published: 03/04/2020
ARCHIVED - Warmer temperatures in spring will not be enough to halt the spread of Covid-19
ARCHIVED ARTICLE
Geographers reiterate that lockdown is the only way of halting the spread of the coronavirus
Despite evidence to the contrary many people are still labouring under the misapprehension that the Covid-19 virus is a rather more infectious version of the flu, and will therefore abate when the warmer summer weather arrives, but the Spanish Geography Association (AGE) has added its voice to those warning that this is not the case.
For this reason, the geographers back the confinement measures recommended by the WHO and adopted by the Spanish government as the only way in which to curb the spread of the virus until an effective vaccine has been developed.
Virologists relate temperature as one of the factors extending or limiting the active life of the coronavirus, but Jorge Olcina, the president of the AGE, maintains that to bank on a positive effect of the rise in temperatures during the spring is not enough. Firstly, it has to be remembered that the warming of the weather is only gradual and during April and May the kind of heat which may eliminate the virus would be extremely unusual.
In a normal year it is not until the end of June and in July and August that figures of between 35 and 40 degrees are reached – and even then only in southern Spain - and this is the threshold above which Covid-19 no longer thrives. Should those temperatures occur before late June it is likely to be only in a brief heatwave, and in the meantime obeying the lockdown is the only means of halting the spread of a virus which has already claimed over 10,000 lives in Spain.
Remember: LOCKDOWN MEANS LOCKDOWN. STAY AT HOME. STAY SAFE AND DO YOUR BIT TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS.
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What to do if you are in the Region of Murcia and believe you may have contracted the virus
The regional government has set up a special helpline to supply information to members of the public (900 121212) if they suspect that they may have contracted the virus rather than going straight to hospital or to a medical centre.
Sensible precautions
The advice being issued to members of the public by medical authorities all over the world coincides on the following points:
- Wash hands frequently with either soap and water or a sanitiser gel
- Catch coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues – and throw the tissues away immediately after use before immediately washing your hands!
- If you don’t have a tissue, use your sleeve – and wash the item of clothing used at the next opportunity
- AVOID touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- AVOID close contact with people who are unwell
- Don´t panic!