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All coronaviruses worldwide fit in a single can of Cola, and easily
If we put all of the corona pathogens in an aluminum can, they would fill it almost halfway.
It falls into the “good to know” category: by calculations, all of the new corona viruses currently in circulation fit easily in a can of Coca-Cola. This is what mathematician Christian Yates of the British University of Bath writes in the online magazine “The Conversation”.
Small but powerful: Relative to their size (around 100 nanometers), coronaviruses have turned the world upside down. Image: wikicommons
The Sars-CoV-2 pathogen circulating at a single current point in time would have accumulated a volume of around 160 milliliters and would not even come close to filling a regular Coca-Cola can, which typically contains 330 milliliters.
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To reach this conclusion, Yates lays down a complicated calculation method, which he clearly explains in his guest post and in a video. The calculation includes the estimated number of people infected at the same time worldwide, the average viral load per infection and the size of the virus.
Calculate the diameter of the Covid-19 pathogen at 100 nanometers. “This is an estimate based on the most reasonable assumptions, but I am pleased to admit that there is certainly room for improvement,” Yates admits.
The calculation is always more accurate than his partner’s estimate: “My wife assumed it was the volume of an Olympic size swimming pool or that of a teaspoon,” says the mathematician. (sda / dpa)
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