Does weather affect the spread of the coronavirus outside a building, in the open air?
天气是否会影响新冠病毒在户外露天情况下的传播？

Not really, experts say.
专家称不会。

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the virus can be spread in any kind of weather. There is also no reason to believe that cold weather can kill it.
世卫组织表示，这种病毒可以在任何天气状况下传播。也没有理由认为寒冷天气会杀死这种病毒。

The WHO says the virus is mainly spread between people. Rain and snow may help reduce the amount of the virus on chairs or other outside objects. But spread of the virus from surfaces is not believed to be a major contributor to the COVID-19 health crisis.
世卫组织表示，这种病毒主要在人与人之间传播。雨雪天气也许有助于减少椅子等户外物体上的病毒数量。但是，通过物体表面传播的病毒并不被认为是导致新冠肺炎健康危机的主要因素。

Scientists say the real concern about cold weather is that lower temperatures are more likely to keep people indoors. They also are more likely to be in more crowded spaces, where the virus can spread more easily.
科学家表示，对寒冷天气的真正担忧是，较低温度更可能让人们呆在室内。他们也更可能呆在更拥挤的空间里，这种情况下病毒更容易传播。

Studies have shown that a large percentage of spread happens within homes when people are sharing common areas like bathrooms.
研究表明，很大一部分传播发生在室内当人们共用浴室之类的公共区域时。

The WHO and others have also warned about the virus spreading in indoor areas with poor ventilation. They note the virus can be spread in the air, and infectious particles might remain in the air for several hours.
世卫组织等机构也警告说，病毒会在通风不良的室内区域传播。他们指出，这种病毒可在空气中传播，并且感染性颗粒可能会在空气中留存数个小时，

Some infections have been linked to nightclub visits, working out at physical exercise centers, and even performing with other people as part of a singing group.
一些感染还跟去夜店、到健身房锻炼，甚至跟参加合唱团与他人一起表演有关。

The coronavirus does not spread as often outdoors because fresh air breaks up the virus particles. People also have an easier time keeping their distance from others in outdoor areas. But experts warn that coronavirus spread is still possible if people spend extended periods of time outdoors close to others without covering their nose and mouth.
新冠病毒在户外传播率不高，因为新鲜空气会分解病毒颗粒。人们在户外也更容易与他人保持距离。但是专家警告说，如果人们长时间在户外靠近他人，而又不遮挡住自己的口鼻，新冠病毒仍然有可能会传播。

Health officials say the best way to stop spread of the virus is to wear a face mask in public, stay at least 2 meters away from people not in your home and repeatedly wash your hands.
卫生官员表示，阻挡病毒传播的最好办法是在公共场合戴上口罩，与家人之外的人保持至少2米距离，并经常洗手。

I’m Jonathan Evans.
我是乔纳森·埃文斯。(51VOA.COM原创翻译，禁止转载，违者必究！)

Does weather affect the spread of the coronavirus outside a building, in the open air?

Not really, experts say.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the virus can be spread in any kind of weather. There is also no reason to believe that cold weather can kill it.

People wear face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus as they walk through a shopping district in Taipei, Taiwan, China Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

The WHO says the virus is mainly spread between people. Rain and snow may help reduce the amount of the virus on chairs or other outside objects. But spread of the virus from surfaces is not believed to be a major contributor to the COVID-19 health crisis.

Scientists say the real concern about cold weather is that lower temperatures are more likely to keep people indoors. They also are more likely to be in more crowded spaces, where the virus can spread more easily.

Studies have shown that a large percentage of spread happens within homes when people are sharing common areas like bathrooms.

The WHO and others have also warned about the virus spreading in indoor areas with poor ventilation. They note the virus can be spread in the air, and infectious particles might remain in the air for several hours.

Some infections have been linked to nightclub visits, working out at physical exercise centers, and even performing with other people as part of a singing group.

The coronavirus does not spread as often outdoors because fresh air breaks up the virus particles. People also have an easier time keeping their distance from others in outdoor areas. But experts warn that coronavirus spread is still possible if people spend extended periods of time outdoors close to others without covering their nose and mouth.

Health officials say the best way to stop spread of the virus is to wear a face mask in public, stay at least 2 meters away from people not in your home and repeatedly wash your hands.

I'm Jonathan Evans.

Jonathan Evans adapted this story for VOA Learning English from an Associated Press report. George Grow was the editor.

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Words in This Story

bathroom – n. a room with a sink and toilet and usually a bathtub or shower

contributor – n. someone or something that contributes something or that contributes to something

mask – n. a covering used to protect your face or cover your mouth

nightclub – n. a place that is open at night, has music, dancing, or a show, and usually serves alcoholic drinks and food