Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
The easiest way to prevent coronavirus infection is to remember the basic rules of hygiene. However, it is also worth knowing various methods of disinfection, which will be useful, for example, for disinfecting protective masks. One way to disinfect is to use a microwave oven. Does it actually kill the coronavirus?
To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, first of all, you need to follow good hygiene. So:
- wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water for a minimum of 30 seconds. If you are unable to do so, disinfect them with an appropriate agent with a minimum alcohol content of 70%;
- regularly clean the various surfaces you touch every day. They can be a source of indirect infection. Particles can settle on them and be easily transferred to a person. It is enough to wash various surfaces with soapy water, incl. door handles, handrails, table tops, desks etc;
- disinfect your cell phone and put it aside while you eat – the cell phone can be a source of various pathogenic microorganisms, so it is worth disinfecting it regularly.
In addition, remember to avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose as you can spread the coronavirus onto yourself this way. Avoid crowds and cover your mouth and nose in public. However, try to leave only when absolutely necessary.
Check if you may have contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus [RISK ASSESSMENT]
Also take care of your body. With proper diet and physical activity, you can strengthen your immunity. So take care of a healthy, easily digestible diet, eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, and drink a minimum of 2 liters of water each day. Instead, avoid processed foods, alcohol and cigarettes.
- Check it out: Symptoms of COVID-19 in seniors are different than in other adults
The coronavirus is covered with a lipid envelope. Thanks to this structure, the coronavirus can be destroyed with the use of commonly available and used chemicals, such as ordinary soap.
The coronavirus ceases to be active at a temperature of at least 60 degrees C. The higher the temperature, the faster we will destroy the coronavirus.
This structure of the coronavirus also makes the coronavirus sensitive to high temperatures, or e.g. sun rays. Under their influence, the coronavirus begins to dry up and cease to be active, in other words, it dies.
The microwave oven heats food through microwave radiation, which is actually electromagnetic waves. When they penetrate inside a substance, they cause molecules, mainly water molecules, to vibrate. Thus, microwave radiation heats up anything that has even a little water.
To destroy the coronavirus, a temperature of at least 60 degrees C is needed, and the higher it is, the sooner the coronavirus ceases to be active. It is therefore worth noting that electromagnetic waves themselves are not dangerous for the coronavirus, because they are much larger than itself. However, they cause the temperature of various substances to rise, and therefore also of the coronavirus. If we reach the temperature of about 60-70 degrees C, the coronavirus will be destroyed.
However, it is worth remembering that in a microwave oven you can easily destroy some objects and materials, such as reusable cotton masks.
The editorial board recommends the most important articles about the coronavirus:
- Is the coronavirus resistant to ionizing radiation?
- Where does the coronavirus come from on the hands of infected people?
- How does the coronavirus attack the body? The scientists answer
Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected] You can find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers.