Sunlight Kills Virus, Is Sunbathing Effective to Fight Covid-19? : Okezone Lifestyle

AT the beginning of the corona virus pandemic or Covid-19 in Indonesia, many people were sunbathing to increase their immunity. Not a few of them are willing to be exposed to sunlight for quite a long time.

However, the effectiveness of sunbathing is still very limited. This is evidenced by the number of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia.

The public needs to know, a study conducted by ecological modelers at the University of Connecticut, understand that ultraviolet rays can convert human skin cells into cancer cells.

This happens because the energetic part of the sun’s electromagnetic spectrum is known to damage DNA and is also capable of killing viruses.

“We found that ultraviolet light was most strongly associated with lower Covid-19 growth rates,” wrote the scientists in one of the publications.

Projections of the overall effect suggest that disease will decline during the summer, and will again increase the following winter. But researchers warn that uncertainty about these studies remains high.

A committee from the National Academy of Sciences looked exclusively at humidity and temperature and found that they had minimal impact on viruses. President Trump also briefly highlighted research at the Department of Homeland Security.

They found that sunlight and disinfectants such as bleach and alcohol can kill the coronavirus on a surface in just 30 seconds. Life scientists have long realized that the sun threatens the survival of many micro-organisms.

“Sunlight kills most pathogenic microbes pretty quickly,” said John Postgate, a British microbiologist. He had written two decades ago in a book entitled ‘Microbes and Humans’ published by Cambridge University Press.

“The ultraviolet component of solar radiation. Ultraviolet lamps can be used indoors to sterilize air in operating rooms and in pharmaceutical and microbiology laboratories. Even in diffused daylight, there is a fair amount of light of the effective wavelength, “he continued.

Also read: This experiment proves that even clean towels have lots of bacteria

During the pandemic, when medical personnel are short on protective equipment, some health centers have used ultraviolet light to decontaminate masks for reuse. A small industry selling ultraviolet lamps as a disinfectant has emerged.

However, experts warn of the potential danger to humans. The Managing Director of Disease Control and Prevention, Robert R. Redfield told National Public Radio that he also expects ups and downs of disease.

Most respiratory viruses have a seasonal pattern. It makes sense to hypothesize. “We have to wait and see. But I think many of you believe when you enter the end of spring, early summer, you will see the transmission decline,” said Redfield.

But he also said it is possible that the coronavirus will continue to be a problem in the rainy season, when it coincides with the start of the new flu season. Comparative viral studies show that the corona virus is very susceptible to ultraviolet light because of its relatively large genetic code.

“The more target molecules, the more likely the genome will be damaged,” he continued.

Even so, other aspects of the effects of sunlight may also play an important role in determining whether a virus can easily infect humans. Because sunlight can promote the synthesis of vitamin D, a nutrient that can strengthen the immune system and lower the risk of certain diseases.

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