When the coronavirus pandemic first reached the U.S. earlier this year, some infectious disease experts were hopeful that COVID-19 would possibly disappear by summer, acting similarly to the seasonal flu which typically dissipates as the weather warms. Even President Trump initially expressed optimism that warmer weather could do away with the virus. Dr. John Whyte, the chief medical officer of the health care website WebMD, also expressed doubt that summer weather would do away with the novel virus. “We originally thought COVID-19 would act similarly to the flu where there would be dissipation during warmer weather, like most respiratory viruses. However, the researchers did document a strong association with reduced virus spread and restrictions on mass gatherings, school closures, and social distancing — in line with what experts have stressed for months.

Source: Fox News June 30, 2020 18:56 UTC