Quote:
Originally Posted by Zaph42
Washing your hands doesn't stop the virus. It's largely a placebo to make people feel like they are doing something. It's one of the things the media is wrong about and people/media need to stop repeating this like it means something. The virus isn't spread on hands. It's spread in air.
Michael Osterholm, via Men's Health Article: |
"It is worth noting that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, touching a surface or object with the virus and then touching one's own face "is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads". Even so, the CDC, the World Health Organization and others health authorities, have emphasised that both washing one's hands and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces daily are key in preventing Covid-19's spread. So although we still don't know exactly how many cases are being caused directly by contaminated surfaces, experts advise exercising caution."
"But the NIH study found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus survives for longer on cardboard – up to 24 hours – and up to 2-3 days on plastic and stainless-steel surfaces. "
updated BBC article from today.
So, while airborne droplets are the main mode of transmission for this virus, it's still a good idea to wash your hands frequently to prevent spread to yourself (by rubbing eyes, picking nose, you get the idea). You have no clue if you have touched a surface that infected droplets have come to rest on, it's not like it throws up a sign saying "I GOT YA!"