In this thread I will mention some of the scientific facts regarding #COVID19Pandemic #COVID19 So that you understand this virus more -in a scientific way-

1. This Virus is a positive-sense single stranded RNA; which means it uses its genome to replicate as well as to produce protein (and this makes it difficult to understand, since RNA is highly variable and rapidly alternating type of genetic material)

2. In looking in the structural biology of this virus; scientists have discovered that this virus binds to ACE2 receptor which is found in lungs, arteries, heart, kidney, and intestines (This means that the virus can cause respiratory, cardiac, renal, GI symptoms)

3. Using HTN medications (Mainly ACE inhibitors) will increase ACE Expression -directly and indirectly- on the previously mentioned tissues and this will increase the risk of getting the virus in elderly people with comorbidities

4. The Diameter of the virus is 60-140 nm and this makes it droplet-borne (NOT AIRBORNE) because the diameter of the droplet is 500 um while the diameter of the air particle is 1-1.5 um (Thus no enough viral load can be carried in the air particle)

5. The Virus CAN’T travel for long distances (because droplets are heavy particles and they will drop on the floor 2 meters away from their source at max)

6. The virus can stay on surfaces for variable period of time (depending on the material from which the surface is made from) And there is NO published and reliable data on how long it can survive on each material;

however; the Preliminary data shows that it can remain viable up to 3 days on plastic and steel, 1 day on cardboard, 4 hours on copper (IT’S ONLY PRELIMINARY!)

7. Soap will inactivate the virus by destabilizing its lipid bilayer

8. To Follow the updates on the virus from a reliable source please use these:
A. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen

B. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

9. If some of the mentioned information doesn’t make sense and/or you find it incorrect please let me know so I can learn more from you

So please;

Avoid Rumors, Wash your hands “before & after everything for ≥ 20 sec, Shower daily, Don’t Panic.

Hope you all stay safe!

@Rattibha رتب