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- In a recent interview, Dr Anthony Fauci said the risk of someone contracting the coronavirus by touching an inanimate object was ‘very unlikely’.
- With the coronavirus spreading to dozens of US states, people should still adhere to safety guidelines such as social distancing, wearing masks, and frequent hand washing.
- The total number of coronavirus cases in the United States now hovers around 5.3 million while the death toll is around 170,000.
In a recent live Instagram interview with Matthew McConaughey, Dr Anthony Fauci said the chances of contracting the coronavirus from inanimate objects – also known as fomites – are not as high as they are. initially believed so. “It’s conceivable,” Fauci said, “but it’s highly unlikely that you can get it through fomites, that is, inanimate objects. [such as] door handles or computers. It can happen, but it is a very minor part of the transmission. “
Fauci’s remarks come at a time when we are learning more and more about how the coronavirus tends to spread from person to person. So, while it was previously assumed that fomite transmission was something to be aware of and wary of, the CDC in May updated its coronavirus guidelines to state that the primary way the virus tends to be to spread is person-to-person contact.
The CDC website reads in part:
The virus is believed to be spread mainly from person to person.
- Between people who are in close contact with each other (about six feet away).
- By respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people nearby, or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
- COVID-19 can be transmitted by people who do not have symptoms.
The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads very easily and sustainably between people. Information from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic suggests that this virus is spreading more efficiently than the flu, but not as efficiently as measles, which is highly contagious. In general, the more closely a person interacts with others and the longer this interaction, the greater the risk of the spread of COVID-19.
The CDC notes that touching a surface or object that has the coronavirus and then touching its face, mouth or eyes could result in infection. Yet the CDC adds that “this is not considered the primary means of spreading the virus.”
That said, Fauci’s remarks should not be taken to mean that it’s okay to be less vigilant when it comes to staying safe. As the CDC mentions, people should always make it a point to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces on a regular basis.
As for other safety precautions to keep in mind, Fauci earlier this month described eight activities people should avoid participating in until an effective vaccine is developed. This list reads as follows:
- Meeting rooms
- Outdoor meetings
- Bars
- Restaurants
- Flight
- Public transport
- Going to the gym
- Share food
A lifelong Mac user and avid Apple enthusiast, Yoni Heisler has been writing about Apple and the tech industry in general for over 6 years. His writings have been published in Edible Apple, Network World, MacLife, Macworld UK, and most recently TUAW. When not writing and analyzing the latest happenings with Apple, Yoni enjoys watching improv shows in Chicago, playing football and cultivating new addictions to TV shows, the most recent examples being The Walking. Dead and Broad City.
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