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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCoronavirus is in the air -- there's too much focus on surfaces
Last edited Fri Feb 5, 2021, 12:39 PM - Edit history (1)
A year into the pandemic, the evidence is now clear. The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted predominantly through the air by people talking and breathing out large droplets and small particles called aerosols. Catching the virus from surfaces although plausible seems to be rare (E. Goldman Lancet Infect. Dis. 20, 892893; 2020).
Despite this, some public-health agencies still emphasize that surfaces pose a threat and should be disinfected frequently. The result is a confusing public message when clear guidance is needed on how to prioritize efforts to prevent the virus spreading.
In its most recent public guidance, updated last October, the World Health Organization (WHO) advised: Avoid touching surfaces, especially in public settings, because someone with COVID-19 could have touched them before. Clean surfaces regularly with standard disinfectants. A WHO representative told Nature in January that there is limited evidence of the coronavirus being passed on through contaminated surfaces known as fomites. But they added that fomites are still considered a possible mode of transmission, citing evidence that SARS‑CoV-2 RNA has been identified in the vicinity of people infected with SARS-CoV-2. And although the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says on its website that surface transmission is not thought to be a common way that COVID-19 spreads, it also says that frequent disinfection of surfaces and objects touched by multiple people is important.
This lack of clarity about the risks of fomites compared with the much bigger risk posed by transmission through the air has serious implications. People and organizations continue to prioritize costly disinfection efforts, when they could be putting more resources into emphasizing the importance of masks, and investigating measures to improve ventilation. The latter will be more complex but could make more of a difference.
The New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority alone estimates that its annual COVID-related sanitation costs will be close to US$380 million between now and 2023. Late last year, the authority asked the US federal government for advice on whether to focus solely on aerosols. It was told to concentrate on fomites, too, and has so far directed more resources towards cleaning surfaces than tackling aerosols.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00277-8
Schools are probably spending a lot on disinfection when better ventilation is what is actually needed.
More air purifiers with internal UV-C lights to kill viruses in the air passing through would also be a good thing.
COVID-19 rarely spreads through surfaces. So why are we still deep cleaning?
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00251-4
roamer65
(36,745 posts)Double masking in any room with multiple people should be the norm.
hlthe2b
(102,276 posts)well as Norovirus season. The latter, especially, given it is enterically-spread, can and IS rampantly spread from surfaces, with minimal viral particles required to infect. Those particles are resistant to heat and cold as well.
It is not JUST COVID-19 we have to worry about, especially in wintertime. Major influenza, Noroviruses or other viral spread can compound mortality from COVID if not contained. And that DOES require attention to surface disinfection.
Maraya1969
(22,480 posts)whenever I leave an establishment with other people in it. I just feel like I've got the cooties now when I touch things that aren't in my house or nature directly.
roamer65
(36,745 posts)Knock on wood, with all the protocol now, I havent gotten it once this season.
Its wonderful.
Klaralven
(7,510 posts)hlthe2b
(102,276 posts)DO YOUR RESEARCH. It is one of the most environmentally stable and communicable viruses we experience today and while it typically has low mortality, the same may not be true when spreading among COVID-19 at the same time. All it takes is an infected person's unwashed hands handling the prepared food you eat--say that hamburger you bought in the drive-through to transmit to you, no matter how often you wash your own hands. And they may well contaminate the wrapper enough that even if you aren't the one who eats it, you may self-infect yourself from handling it. Fomites are a real source of spread for this and other viruses and hardly ruled out as at least some contributing spread for COVID.
Klaralven
(7,510 posts)Locally none of the schools are operating cafeterias, and I think the same is true for company cafeterias.
CottonBear
(21,596 posts)My kid has been in virtual school since March 2020. We had our flu shots back in early fall 2020.
In January 2019, we all got the flu even though we had flu vaccinations. Kiddo was still in grade school (aka germ factory) at that time.
We wash and sanitize our hands constantly. My child hasnt played with any other kids except for a few masked & socially distanced walks with the neighbor kids since March 2020.
No Scouts, no 4-H, no soccer, no summer camp, no school events, no fun. But, we are all safe & healthy.
Thank goodness for online interactive games, cell phones & Discord!
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)COVID's in the air everywhere I look around
COVID's in the air every sight and every sound
And I don't know if I'm being foolish
Don't know if I'm being wise
But it's something that I must believe in
Wear a mask and cover your eyes.
Maraya1969
(22,480 posts)Klaralven
(7,510 posts)I told my daughter that she should stop wearing contacts and wear her glasses instead.
Wearing both a mask and glasses reminds you to never touch your mouth, nose or eyes unless you have recently thoroughly washed your hands.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)OK how 'bout this:
COVID's in the air everywhere I look around
COVID's in the air every sight and every sound
And I don't know if I'm being foolish
Don't know if I'm being wise
But it's something that I must believe in
Wear a mask and cover your eyes.
CottonBear
(21,596 posts)Buckeye_Democrat
(14,853 posts)We have got to get it together now!
StClone
(11,683 posts)...and as an aerosol. Relishing the killing these buggers with Alcohol (dissolving their fatty outer membrane which then pops with the alcohol's rapid evaporation) is satisfying to visualize. Bacteria infections are also down due to all the Covid-19 sanitizing protocols, which is good as they can cause secondary infections.
CozyMystery
(652 posts)Angela Merkel urged Germans to open their windows twice a day. If I recall correctly, it was for 5 minutes at a time in the winter. The article is here (not the best source, I know), but I don't want to disable my ad blocker. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8793143/Open-window-fend-coronavirus-says-Angela-Merkel.html
Also, opening car windows is helpful. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/19/car-windows-to-open-for-air-flow-to-prevent-covid-transmission-study.html
Poiuyt
(18,123 posts)If someone with covid is in a room, how long would we need to hold our breath after he leaves the room?