The CDC Just Updated Its Stance On How Coronavirus Spreads
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When the coronavirus first began spreading across Europe and the Americas from Asia, there were initial warnings from both the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) about just how highly infectious COVID-19 was. The WHO released a circular in early March which warned that when the droplets of an infected person falls on surfaces such as desks, or other objects, that surface could transmit the disease.
“People could catch COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces or objects – and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth,” the WHO warned, adding, “If they are standing within one meter of a person with COVID-19 they can catch it by breathing in droplets coughed out or exhaled by them.” While the WHO wasn’t wrong about the potency of the virus and how it spread from person to person, new findings from the CDC show that touching an infected surface may not be as risky as experts previously thought.
“People could catch COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces or objects – and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth,” the WHO warned, adding, “If they are standing within one meter of a person with COVID-19 they can catch it by breathing in droplets coughed out or exhaled by them.” While the WHO wasn’t wrong about the potency of the virus and how it spread from person to person, new findings from the CDC show that touching an infected surface may not be as risky as experts previously thought.
The new finding shouldn’t change our behaviors
The change in the CDC’s guidelines doesn’t mean we can stop washing our hands, disinfecting surfaces, or social distancing. What the findings do emphasize is how critical it is to wear face masks, since some people who have COVID-19 may be asymptomatic. And, a study recently found the virus can remain in the air for 3 hours.
