What Exactly Is The Coronavirus?
COVID-19, Explained
May 21, 2020 by David Scott
Everywhere you go, you hear about the Coronavirus. It’s all over your social media feeds, it pops up frequently in your conversations, and here you are, reading about it on our website. And yet, for how much we’re talking about this epidemic, a lot of people still don’t quite understand what exactly it is.
Most everyone, of course, understands that it’s a contagious virus that spreads through physical touch and sneezing. For most people, that’s enough. But if you want to dive a little deeper into learning about COVID-19 on a biological level, a little knowledge never hurt anyone. In fact, by understanding the nature of the virus itself, it can help you fight it better.
At Bio-One of Tucson, we specialize in biohazardous cleaning services, and one of the most important parts of our job is knowing exactly what we’re dealing with. Whether it’s blood, chemicals, or a virus such as COVID-19, it’s easier to deal with all of these things when you know a little bit about them.
What Is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a specific coronavirus strain that has mutated to infect people. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s back up a little bit.
When you hear the word “coronavirus,” you’re probably thinking of COVID-19, the big bad virus that has managed to shut down a huge portion of our society. But in reality, the term coronavirus refers to a whole subset of viruses. Coronaviruses are a certain family of viruses that are capable of spreading from animals to humans. In fact, it’s likely you’ve already caught multiple types of coronaviruses in the past — many of them are little more than a common cold. But certain coronavirus mutations can get more serious, such as MERS, SARS, and now, COVID-19.
So if you’re wondering why these two names are often used interchangeably, that’s why. In short, COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus, but many people have taken to calling it “The Coronavirus.” In other words, COVID-19 is the official name, and Coronavirus is the slang name.
Why COVID-19 Is Vulnerable to Soap
Generally speaking, soap is an effective deterrent to most types of contagious sicknesses; there’s a reason why the world got a whole lot healthier after it came into vogue. But COVID-19 is particularly weak to soap, and here’s why:
Soap molecules have two ends — one is attracted to water, and the other is water-resistant. So when you mix soap with water, the soap molecules bind to it, while also trying to get away from it at the same time. This causes them to latch onto whatever they can. COVID-19 molecules have a lipid membrane layer, which is basically a protective barrier of fat. The hydrophobic end of soap molecules latches onto these, which ultimately dissolves them, breaking apart the molecule. And when all is said and done, it’s washed away with the soap down the sink.
COVID-19 Cleaning and Decontamination Services
While we’ve listed the barebones basics behind COVID-19, there is still a whole lot more to it, and that’s why it’s wise to call us for professional COVID-19 cleaning and decontamination services, especially if you believe your business or commercial building has been exposed. We understand how this virus works, and how to break it down. Even if you’re being diligent with your cleaning, it’s not possible to completely eliminate 100% of the virus molecules. But with a professional treatment, we’ll get you as close as humanly possible. Contact us today to get started!
