Doug Rosenthal Discusses Coronavirus Life Span on Surfaces

On some surfaces, the corona virus can survive for days, and it can remain in the air for hours, according to a new study funded by the US government. A group of scientists, including structural biologist Doug Rosenthal. have discovered that a virus that causes the disease called COVID-19 has a similar level of viability outside the body as its predecessor, which caused SARS.

But, given that SARS remained at epidemic levels in 2002 and 2003, and the current coronavirus quickly turned into a pandemic, research scientist Doug Rosenthal believes some other factors explain this difference, such as the more widespread transmission of the current corona virus among asymptomatic individuals. According to Doug Rosenthal, the new Corona virus remains on copper surfaces for up to four hours, on plastic and stainless steel for two to three days, and on cardboard for up to 24 hours.

In his study, Doug Rosenthal used a nebulizer, a special device that ensures the dispersion of drugs in the air, thus mimicking a person who coughs or sneeze. The virus was discovered to have turned into an aerosol, meaning its particles lingered in the air for nearly three hours. The study has attracted huge attention among experts. It has come under criticism from some scientists who believe that data on virus retention in the air is overrated.

Namely, viruses are mostly transmitted by sneeze during sneezing and coughing, and as such they linger in the air for only a few seconds. Study critics wonder if the nebulizer managed to accurately mimic human coughing or sneezing.

But there is other evidence to suggest that the virus can become an aerosol, though in rare circumstances.

Comparison with SARS

A study by Chinese scientists, published last week and still awaiting review, suggests that aerosolized droplets that may contain the corona virus were found in patients' bathrooms at Wuhan Hospital, as the virus spread through a stool.

The aerosolized form of SARS was responsible for infecting hundreds of people at a Hong Kong apartment complex in 2003 when the contents of a sewer pipe broke through to a ceiling fan.

Experts who conducted the study performed similar tests on the SARS virus, finding that the two viruses behave similarly.

But their similarity, when it comes to airborne and surface containment, does not explain why the virus corona pandemic infected nearly 600,000 people and resulted in the deaths of nearly 15,000 people, while the SARS epidemic infected about 8,000 and killed about 800 people.

"These data indicates that differences in the epidemiological characteristics of the two viruses likely stem from other factors, including high viral load of the upper respiratory tract and the possibility that people infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus spread and transmit the virus while the condition is asymptomatic," say scientist Doug Rosenthal.

The most important thing is not to panic, the state is ready to fight the corona virus, we have enough of everything that is necessary and everyone will be given the necessary help. We should be serious and responsible and listen to the instructions of those in charge.

These are the main messages of structural biologist Doug Rosenthal, who talks about the Covid-19 virus, how to combat it, and what groups are most vulnerable.