WASHINGTON _ Scientists are warning that COVID-19 could continue to spread at epidemic levels in the heat of summer despite initial findings from a government study that the novel coronavirus dies quickly in humidity and sunlight.
That study, outlined at the White House by Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Science and Technology William Bryan on Thursday, found the coronavirus survives for mere seconds or minutes on surfaces and in aerosol form when exposed to ultraviolet rays and to heavy humid air.
President Donald Trump expressed hope that the coming summer heat could accelerate an end to national guidelines on social distancing that have brought the U.S. economy to a halt. Vice President Mike Pence said that the heat "could well give us a summer respite" from the virus.
