Prompt Cast
Should You Disinfect Everything You Touch Outside of Your Home During the Pandemic?
TLDR While studies have found evidence of the coronavirus on various surfaces, including everyday objects like credit cards and pens, the risk of getting infected from touching these objects is low. Washing your hands regularly is sufficient for handling everyday objects, and it's more important to avoid putting your hands in your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Alex Bloomberg, the boss of Gimlet and host of the podcast, Science Versus, seeks advice on how careful he should be with touching things outside of his home during the pandemic.
03:45
The host wonders if he is crazy for disinfecting everything he touches outside of his home during the pandemic and explores whether everyday objects like credit cards and pens can actually be dangerous and spread the virus.
07:26
Studies have found evidence of genetic pieces of the coronavirus on various surfaces, including exercise equipment, computers, cell phones, and bedside tables, suggesting that the virus can be spread through contact with contaminated objects.
10:47
The survival time of the coronavirus on different surfaces varies, with the virus remaining detectable on glass for up to two days and on plastic and steel for even longer, but it's uncertain how much virus would actually be present on everyday objects in the real world.
14:28
The virus gets into our body through our mouth or nose, so washing our hands is sufficient for handling everyday objects.
17:41
To reduce the risk of getting infected by ingesting the virus, it is recommended to wash fruits and vegetables with soap and water, cook them, or wait a few days before consuming them.
20:56
The likelihood of getting COVID-19 from touching a pizza box or other surfaces is low, but not impossible, so it's important to focus on not putting your hands in your mouth, up your nose, or scratching your eyes instead of obsessively sanitizing everything.
