ANSWER: "It is not yet known whether weather and temperature impact the spread of #COVID19 . Some other viruses, like the common cold and flu, spread more during cold weather months but that does not mean it is impossible to become sick with these viruses during other months.
At this time, it is not known whether the spread of #COVID19 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."
The bottom line is, we should assume that #COVID19 can spread in any meteorological environment, until the experts can give definitive guidance on it.
SECOND QUESTION: How does the test work? @NatSecAnswers asked several medical professionals, including medical doctors and here's what we've learned.
ANSWER: (Based on responses from multiple medical sources) The test is a swab-type test, that is very similar to a test for #influenza –the #FLU.
During the test, which generally takes less that two minutes from start to finish, a swab is inserted into the nose into the nasopharyngeal region, from which a sample is collected. There may also be an oral version, or a throat swab where cells are collected as well.
It's most likely both swabs will be placed in the same vial and sent off a lab. @NBCNews compiled a list of guidelines for all 50 U.S. states nbcnews.com/health/health-…
We realize this information is very heavy on medical detail, but given the fact that this is a pandemic, it is of vital national security interest.
One final QUESTION: Where can testing be done?
ANSWER: We need to be very clear, despite mis/disinformation suggesting you can possibly get a test kit online. YOU CANNOT. cbp.gov/newsroom/natio…
Contact your own health care practitioner or your state's health department for details on how to get a #COVID19 test. Again more in depth information about #COVID19 can be found @CDCgov cdc.gov/coronavirus/20…
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Many thanks to all the @NatSecAnswers experts who help us with the questions we get. @mvhaydencenter @GCorreaCabrera @SAPOTUS @DavidPriess @ccdcoe @Stratfor @trapwire @RachelTobac @MarkJRozellGMU @LarryPfeifferDC @FightExtremism @GenMhayden
