COVID-19 Lives On In Human Waste, And That's Bad News For Hurricane Season
- 4 years ago
COVID-19 Lives On In Human Waste, And That's Bad News For Hurricane Season
Hurricane season always threatens communities, but with the coronavirus pandemic, this year could bring even more trouble.
According to Gizmodo Earther, storms can overwhelm wastewater plants through heavy rain and storm surge. Winds can also knock out power.
Any of these hazards can cause sewage to pour into streets or even contaminate drinking water.
If that's not bad enough, scientists say the novel coronavirus COVID-19 can live on in patients' feces for weeks after the patients test negative.
Coronavirus in raw sewage only adds to the challenges should any storms make landfall.
What we would like to point out is that COVID-19 increases the public health consequences of these sewer overflows. Timothy Whitehouse Executive Director, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility
Hurricane season always threatens communities, but with the coronavirus pandemic, this year could bring even more trouble.
According to Gizmodo Earther, storms can overwhelm wastewater plants through heavy rain and storm surge. Winds can also knock out power.
Any of these hazards can cause sewage to pour into streets or even contaminate drinking water.
If that's not bad enough, scientists say the novel coronavirus COVID-19 can live on in patients' feces for weeks after the patients test negative.
Coronavirus in raw sewage only adds to the challenges should any storms make landfall.
What we would like to point out is that COVID-19 increases the public health consequences of these sewer overflows. Timothy Whitehouse Executive Director, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility