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I have read that the COVID-19 Virus does not like hot weather. Yet the cases in some very hot places in the US are growing rapidly, such as Phoenix, Miami and Texas. Is that primarily due to the relaxing of mark wearing and social distancing practices in these locations? In other words is this summer spike in infections due more to our behavior and would be worse if the weather were cold?
There is the hypothesis that temperature and humidity may play a role in the potential transmission of the virus. If this is true, I do not believe it is the major component of transmission risk. There is also the discussion for UV light to inactivate the virus, so encouraging people to be outdoors is a part of the implication of that effect. However, I believe that the continuing transmission and high case counts in our southern states (where it is hotter and humid) shows us that climate is not sufficient. The lack of compliance with masking, physical distancing, etc. (including encouraging larger group gatherings) has played a large role in the continued (and growing) transmission in those states.
I do believe that in the autumn when the weather turns cooler that we will be experiencing a very large potential “wave” or number of cases and sustained transmission. It may not be just the temperature and humidity, but also the fact that as it turns colder than we humans congregate indoors, sometimes in large gatherings indoors. So, there are more opportunities for transmission of infections.
