New research shows that you may be able to spend less time cleaning while protecting yourself against COVID-19.
When the pandemic hit the U.S. back in March, store shelves were cleared of disinfectant sprays and cleaning supplies as people started to wipe down packages, mail, even groceries to protect themselves from incoming germs.
Emanuel Goldman, a microbiologist at Rutgers University, is providing new data that suggests wiping down surfaces may not be necessary, according to NPR.
“In my opinion, the chance of transmission through inanimate surfaces is very small, and only in instances where an infected person coughs or sneezes on the surface, and someone else touches that surface soon after the cough or sneeze (within 1–2 h),” Goldman says. “I do not disagree with erring on the side of caution, but this can go to extremes not justified by the data.”
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The microbiologist even conducted his research in hospitals where patients tested positive for COVID-19.
"In hospitals, surfaces have been tested near COVID-19 patients, and no infectious virus can be identified," Goldman says.
Despite his findings, Goldman stated that hospitals should continue to disinfect surfaces and wear gloves while working around infected patients.
Dr. Kevin Fennelly, a respiratory infection specialist with the National Institutes of Health, says that cleaning surfaces is not the best way to slow infection.
"Instead of paying so much attention to cleaning surfaces, we might be better off paying attention to cleaning the air, given the finite amount of time and resources," Marr says.
Fennelly stated that the spread of the virus is more likely to occur in public places, such as indoor restaurants.
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