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Beauty & Health

Want To Avoid Covid-19? Switch Off The Air-Con And Get Some Fresh Air, Experts Say

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Wellness

Want To Avoid Covid-19? Switch Off The Air-Con And Get Some Fresh Air, Experts Say

Combat covid-19 by taking advantage of our heat and humidity

March 7, 2020

Photo: Pexels

As Singapore (and the world) continues to battle the covid-19 epidemic, many people are choosing to stay indoors more often instead of going out and mingling with the general population. Somehow, we’re wired to think that being indoors is safer when it comes to avoiding the virus. But while it’s wise to avoid crowded places during a time like this, experts say that, on top of practising good personal hygiene like washing your hands more often, it’s important to get some fresh air too.

In fact, being indoors all the time, especially in an enclosed air-conditioned space encourages viruses to spread. As uncomfortable as it may be sometimes, the hot and humid weather might just be exactly what we need to help fight the Covid-19 outbreak in Singapore.

Here’s what you should know before you coop yourself up in an air-conditioned room to protect yourself from the virus, or the heat:

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https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/beauty-and-health/wellness/avoid-covid-19-fresh-air/
Want To Avoid Covid-19? Switch Off The Air-Con And Get Some Fresh Air, Experts Say
Get some fresh air
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On top of washing their hands and disinfecting surfaces, people need to switch off the air-conditioner, turn on the fan and get fresh air to reduce the chances of getting infected by the novel coronavirus.

The reason is that while many unknowns remain about the virus, earlier studies have shown that viruses thrive better in cool, dry climates.

That would make tropical Singapore, with its hot and tropical weather, less conducive for the virus to thrive.

This “good news” for Singapore was delivered on Monday (Feb 10) by the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) chief health scientist, Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, at a press conference.

“The likelihood of viral persistence outdoors is lower,” he said, as he noted the prevalent use of air-conditioning in Singapore.

Prof Tan was one of eight infectious disease experts in Singapore present at the press conference to brief the media on what is being done to fight the virus, or 2019-nCoV, on both the science and health fronts.

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Keep windows and doors open
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He said plenty of research had been done into how long viruses persist on surfaces following the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) in 2003.

“Most of the studies indicate they don’t persist well in hot, humid environments,” he added. “Hot and humid meaning over 30 deg C, and with humidity levels of over 80 per cent.”

The virus that caused Sars is in the same family as the coronavirus which originated in Wuhan and has spread globally.

Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, programme leader of infectious diseases at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Saw Swee Hock School, said: “Air-conditioning is something that can’t be helped in Singapore, especially during the hot months.

“But enclosed spaces, where it is less humid and cooler, could help to spread respiratory diseases.”

Experts suggest that another way to reduce the spread of diseases is to keep windows and doors open to ventilate the rooms.

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Get ventilation, and some sun
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The World Health Organisation, in a document outlining how to prevent the coronavirus from infecting people, said suspected cases should be kept in well-ventilated rooms.

Professor Wang Linfa, director for the programme in emerging infectious diseases at the Duke-NUS Medical School, said ultra-violet rays and heat from the sun could kill the virus.

“If you can stay under the sun for a while, it would be good,” he added. “Vitamin D can also boost the immune system.”

(Meanwhile, consider checking out these stunning walking trails around the island, and gear up for your sunny pursuits by slathering on these award-winning sunscreens.)

Disinfecting surfaces could also prevent the virus from infecting people.

Public transport operators SBS Transit and SMRT have also said in January that they are stepping up cleaning efforts for their premises and vehicles.

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Text: Audrey Tan/Straits Times

Additional reporting: Shape

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