We all know by now that you can get the coronavirus by being close to people that are infected. This is due to the respiratory droplets an infected person lets out when they sneeze or cough.
And while that is the most common way to get COVID-19, a new study suggests that people may become infected just by touching contaminated objects or through the air containing suspended droplets.
Studies show that the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is the virus that causes COVID-19, remains infectious on several surfaces, and in the air itself.
They tested the virus on plastic, stainless steel, copper, and cardboard, which are surfaces frequently found in hospitals. However, it goes without saying that these surfaces are found in your everyday objects, such as your phones, iPads, and watches.
The results showed the virus remains on plastic and stainless steel for 2 to 3 days. While this theoretically means that the virus can live on your devices up to 3 days, the times will vary in real-life conditions, such as humidity and temperature.
The virus also remained active on cardboard for 24 hours and on copper for 4 hours. And it remains active for up to 3 hours in the air.
Based on tests done on similar viruses in the past, we can expect COVID-19 to remain active on a glass surface for 2-4 days. You don’t only need to keep yourself clean, you have to keep all your gadgets clean. We all know that our phones can be dirtier than a toilet seat.
There are many ways to keep your devices clean. Here are a few recommendations to keep your phone clean.
1. You need to clean your phone and its cover/case. Cleaning one and not the other won’t suffice.
2. Avoid lending your devices to other people. Your phone needs social distancing too.
3. Keep your phone with you at all times, but avoid using it in public spaces.
4. Try to not answer phone calls outside. If you need to do it, don’t put it close to your face.
We don’t know how long this epidemic will last, but following the guidelines set by health officials is the best way to prevent contracting and spreading the virus.