Better Ask Barry: Coronavirus and weather, gas pumps and tanks

SALINAS, Calif (KION) We are being bombarded by lots of information - and misinformation - about the effects of the coronavirus, and shelter in place rules. Here are some answers on such things as gas pumps and how warmer weather might help flatten the curve.
    
“We really don’t know,” said Georgine Nanos, a doctor and CEO of the Kind Health Group answered the weather question.

Will warmer weather lead to a decline in coronavirus cases like what we see with the flu?

Dr. Nanos says there's still some uncertainty because COVID-19 is new.

"A lot of viruses and bacteria are sturdier in cold weather and they stick around longer like the flu and we hope that's the case with coronavirus and the weather gets warmer we'll see less of it, but we
really don't know yet," she said.

On its website, the CDC provided a similar answer:

At this time, it is not known whether the spread of COVID-19 will decrease when weather becomes warmer.  There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with COVID-19 and investigations are ongoing.

What about gas pumps? Can the virus be transmitted there?

While it is true COVID-19 lives on surfaces----it's not the main source of transmission, so chances are low.
Plus---there haven't been any verified gas pump cases as of yet.

According to the CDC: It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Dr. Nanos suggests keeping supplies in your car.

"I keep alcohol wipes, hand sanitizers in my car so if I have to pump gas i can use one of those three items to protect myself."

Finally, there's a viral video showing military tanks on a train running through downtown San Diego. Similar videos have been seen in other cities, claiming a national lockdown in response to coronavirus.

Although the video real, apparently it's a few years old.

The acting secretary of homeland security has taken to twitter to say that the tanks aren't part of a national lockdown. Still, rumors are swirling and concern remains high.

If you have a question, look for the Better Ask Barry website, kion546.com, and tell us what you'd like to know.