At the beginning of the pandemic, disinfectant wipes were a sought-after item and difficult to find.
Now they are finally back on store shelves. But how much do we really need to disinfect surfaces?
Microbiologists say the coronavirus usually does not survive on surfaces.
“You actually go to hospitals where they treat COVID-19 patients and you look at the surfaces, and there is no infectious virus,” said Dr. Emanuel Goldman, a professor of microbiology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, said.
When the coronavirus occurs on a surface, it is usually the RNA. Consider it the corpse or skeleton of the virus. This usually means that the virus is no longer there and that you are unlikely to become infected by touching the surface.
Goldman says it is therefore not really necessary to constantly disinfect surfaces. Instead, we need to focus on other preventative measures, such as hygiene.
‘All you have to do is wash your hands, because even if you touch something, it’s not going to go through the skin of your fingers. “You washed your hands and you’re done with it,” Goldman said.
Goldman reminds people to remember the three W’s – wear a mask, keep an eye on your distance and wash your hands.