Now that it’s officially summer, warm weather is heating up the country. Many health professionals speculated that the virus would wane with warmer temperatures, as does the seasonal flu virus in the spring and summer. However, this novel virus is picking up speed and showing no signs of slowing, creating hot spots in Florida, Arizona, Texas, and other states. This disproves the theory that the virus disappears immediately upon introduction to heat. There is still more to learn, however, we do know that prolonged contact with heat does eventually kill the virus.

People are learning to live with coronavirus as we continue into summer. Whether it’s going to the grocery store at a slower time or deciding to pick up food instead of sitting indoors. While the warmer weather is here, it’s important to leave the house with caution. For many of us in the Northern states, summer is the only time of the year we experience warm temperatures, and we should enjoy it. Being indoors and fearful the whole summer is not living with it. You can responsibly and carefully go about your life, and go to the store if you wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Infectious Diseases

Most infectious diseases are seasonal, including the seasonal flu, which has the annual flu shot. Health experts believe that the COVID-19 virus will follow a similar pattern and spike in the fall and winter when the weather is cooler. When polio was a widespread health concern, the illness had the worst outbreaks during the summer. Therefore, every disease and illness has its own pattern and must be studied.

In places that have tropical environments, the flu is an all year long disease and spreads more easily in moist environments. Meanwhile, some flu strains spread more easily in dry air, which is seen with the seasonal flu. Studies on the coronavirus show that COVID-19, similarly to the flu, has a difficult time surviving in hot environments. Although it still can for short periods of time, representing the ongoing transmission in the U.S.

The exact cause of the seasonal flu is still largely unknown. Health experts contribute societal behavior to the increased cases during the fall and winter. During these seasons, people are indoors more often and are less likely to choose an outdoor activity. They are exposed to more germs and viruses when in indoor communal spaces. During the summer, people are more likely to choose outdoor dining when going out to dinner. Other theories presented believe that the sudden drop in weather temperature causes this.

UV Light

Sunlight was initially thought to kill the virus, although based on the temperatures in the country this past month, there has not been a significant decrease in virus spread. Therefore, sunlight does not stop the coronavirus. However, it is believed that ultraviolet, or UV, light could kill COVID-19. The UV light that is blocked out by most of the atmosphere is also the UV light that could kill the virus.

Many hospitals and laboratories have UV light equipment to sterilize their tools. This type of light is very powerful and beneficial in comparison to sunlight on the virus. The virus is killed much quicker which lowers the possibility of spread. Although if a person were to shine UV light on their skin, it would immediately burn, this is meant to be used by trained professionals for sterilizing equipment only.

Future Immunity

There is a chance that the coronavirus could become a seasonal disease, although this depends on how the pandemic continues. This also depends on how immunity against this disease forms and develops. If we are unable to completely eliminate COVID-19, then it will become a seasonal disease. The more widespread the virus becomes the harder it will be to contain and possibly eliminate it.

Additionally, scientists are concerned about the possibility of the coronavirus becoming existent in other specials, such as animals. If this disease affects animals or other species in a significant way, that could continue into the future, even after the person-to-person transmission is contained. Humans have not been exposed to this strain of coronavirus before, leaving many questions and few answers.