Don’t Let Up on Disinfecting Surfaces
Disinfection combined with ventilation, mask wearing, and social distancing is still the best pandemic plan
While most people are probably not wiping down groceries and the mail anymore, one year into the coronavirus pandemic experts are encouraging people to continue cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, Fox News reports.
Although science has confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus mainly spreads through air droplets and close contact with infected people, infection control experts say disinfection efforts coupled with mask wearing, social distancing, vaccination, and ventilation still offer the best protection against the virus.
It is possible for people to contract COVID-19 by touching a contaminated surface then their face, especially as the virus continues to evolve and variants become more transmissible. As research has shown coronavirus can remain infectious on surfaces such as glass, wood, and plastic for up to five days, frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, sinks, and elevator buttons is recommended, especially in public buildings such as education and health care facilities.
Remember that cleaning alone will be ineffective against the spread of coronavirus without workplaces setting up social distancing guidelines until more people are protected from COVID-19 through vaccination.