ST. LOUIS (KMOX)-Spreading faster than the coronavirus are claims, theories and outright falsehoods about the virus. Sunday on Total Information AM, St. Louis University vaccine researcher, Dr. Sarah George, explained that there are some things about the virus we know, but many we don't.
For instance, she says the claim the virus was invented in a lab is "nonsense". As for the idea that it's not as bad as the flu, she says that's not accurate. George says it's comparable to the flu in that both are spread by respiratory transmission, however, "Coronavirus seems to be more infectious to people that influenza. It also seems to be more lethal though we're still learning about it a lot. It is a different virus that influenza."
Some have claimed that the virus will die off in warmer weather. George says that while the spread of viruses tend to slow as the weather warms, we don't know how the arrival of spring will impact this particular strain. "The last time we had a coronavirus outbreak, which was the SARS outbreak in 2003, that went on until July of 2003. So, we just do not know enough to say."
When asked how concerned we should be about coronavirus, George said we should be concerned enough to stay informed. through legitimate sources like the Centers for Disease Control and the National Insitutes of Health. She says to prepare, we should think about all we can do to help protect us every day. "Like good hand washing techniques. Staying in good health. Getting enough sleep. Eating a good diet the best you can."
And while work continues on a vaccine, George says one won't be available for at least several months.