VOA慢速英语2020 天气是否会影响新冠病毒在户外传播？

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 crisis¹.

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 indoors². 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 infectious³ particles⁴ 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 extended⁵ 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 repeatedly⁶ 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。

1 crisis   

n.危机，危急关头，决定性时刻，关键阶段

参考例句：

• He had proved that he could be relied on in a crisis.他已表明，在紧要关头他是可以信赖的。
• The topic today centers about the crisis in the Middle East.今天课题的中心是中东危机。

2 indoors   

adv.(在)室内，(在)户内

参考例句：

• Because of the coldness of the weather we stayed indoors.我们因天气寒冷呆在家里。
• It is very cold outside,you'd better come indoors across the board.外面很冷，你们所有人最好都进屋。

3 infectious   

adj.传染的，有传染性的，有感染力的

参考例句：

• Influenza is an infectious disease.流感是一种传染病。
• What an infectious laugh she has!她的笑声多么具有感染力啊！

4 particles   

微粒( particle的名词复数 )； 颗粒； 极少量； 小品词

参考例句：

• These small particles agglomerate together to form larger clusters. 这些颗粒聚结形成较大的团。
• The nucleus of an atom consists of neutrons, protons and other particles. 原子核由中子、质子和其他粒子构成。

5 extended   

adj.延伸的；伸展的；延长的；扩大的v.延伸(extend的过去式和过去分词)；伸展；延长

参考例句：

• an extended lunch hour 延长了的午餐时间
• France has greatly extended its influence in world affairs. 在世界事务中，法国的影响已大大地扩大了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 repeatedly   

adv.重复地，再三地

参考例句：

• The loudspeakers blared the speech repeatedly.扬声器里反复大声地播送那篇演讲。
• He repeatedly beat his foot upon the floor.他反复用脚敲着地板。