Can snow kill coronavirus?

The cold air brought by snowfall cannot freeze the virus to death. Today, when the whole people are preventing and controlling the epidemic, many experts tell us through popular science on TV and the Internet that the virus is not afraid of heat or cold. Judging from the temperature conditions of virus survival, most viruses are cold-resistant and heat-resistant-at the temperature of 55℃-65℃, within a few minutes, the capsid protein of the virus will denature, making the virus lose its ability to infect.

Then, why do we all say that cold weather, especially after snow, can reduce the spread of viruses and prevent colds? This is not unreasonable. Snow also has a good side. Snow can purify the air, and snowflakes can effectively settle fine particles floating in the air, which often contain viruses or bacteria.

As we all know, this novel coronavirus mainly spreads in the air through droplets, and the virus adheres to some tiny particles in the air. When it snows or rains, the suspended particles in the air will be knocked down by rain and snow, and the virus attached to the particles will be hit on the ground, and the transmission path of the virus will be blocked, so the probability of infection will naturally be small. In addition, the virus cannot survive and reproduce without the host, and the virus must invade the host cell to replicate itself. If the host is inactive or even freezes to death because of the cold weather, the virus will not find a new host and will die after killing the old host.

Another advantage after snowfall is that the air quality is usually good after snowfall, and everyone can rest assured to breathe. Open more windows at home for ventilation, because the improvement of air quality will also help the spread of solar ultraviolet rays. At this time, the sun can absorb ultraviolet rays well, and ultraviolet rays also have a good bactericidal effect.

There is nothing wrong with the saying that "snow will bring good harvest". It is more about the benefits of rain and snow to crops, including irrigation and freezing pests.

But unlike people's traditional ideas, the cold air brought by snowfall can't freeze the virus to death, and the virus likes cold and dry air. Old people often say, it's cold, beware of catching a cold. There is some truth in this statement. Because cold will be more conducive to the virus invading people's bodies. After catching a cold, the respiratory mucosa of human body is easily damaged, the virus can survive longer and reproduce faster, and the virus will have a greater probability of infection when it enters the nasal cavity. Include novel coronavirus, so that low temperature after snow will not kill the virus.

According to the official diagnosis and treatment plan of pneumonia in novel coronavirus, novel coronavirus is sensitive to ultraviolet rays and heat. Fat solvents such as 56℃ for 30 minutes, ether, 75% ethanol, chlorine-containing disinfectant, peracetic acid and chloroform can effectively inactivate the virus, not to mention the effect of low temperature.

Therefore, at this time of warm spring and sudden cold, we should be vigilant, reduce paralyzed thoughts, go out less and get together less, and do a good job in disinfection and protection at home. Don't think that snow can reduce the intensity of virus transmission and infection and win the war of "epidemic situation" in the national war.