More than a month into the COVID-19 pandemic, and in many ways, people still have more questions than answers about the scientific nature of the virus. Social media can be a hotbed of misinformation; an echo-chamber of gossip passed from friend to friend like a game of telephone played as children.

Facts matter. Science matters.

As Swift Current moves closer to re-opening its economy under new guidelines put forth by the Saskatchewan government, answers to questions that come up in regard to how the virus behaves will become even more key.  As possibly nervous employees are soon to be asked to return to work by employers hurriedly re-opening their businesses, facts about how the virus is likely to hold onto the region will be critical to the process of getting the southwest back on its feet,

That's why Swift Current Online is adopting a new weekly feature where we ask a doctor questions that come from our readers and listeners.

Dr. Kristine Pederson is a family physician in Swift Current and a member of the region's COVID-19 planning team. She's graciously agreed to take time each Friday morning to answer questions posed by our readers and our listeners.

This week, Dr. Pederson discussed a number of topics, from how the virus is transmitted, to how long it can live on various surfaces.

 

 - What is the main Method or vector of Transport for COVID-19?

 

 

- Does the use of gloves and masks while doing everyday things such as grocery shopping and filling up with gas reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19

 

- What is the longevity of COVID-19 in the air or on multiple surfaces?  If someone is contagious at work, for example, how long can it survive on the desk, and does it thrive in heat or cold?

 

- Is it safe to go to the doctor or hospital for regular medical concerns, or is the risk of contracting COVID-19 too great?

 

For more answers, stay tuned to Swift Current Online every week for more questions with Dr. Pederson.

To submit questions of your own about the scientific nature of the virus, submit them before Wednesday to marcus.kouri@goldenwest.ca