We were all bracing for a possible “second wave” of the coronavirus to hit. Yet here we are, still drowning in the first one in many parts of the USA.
If you’re lucky, you live in an area of the country that’s experiencing a plateau. And as cases level off a bit, you’re getting some much-needed breathing room right now.
But no matter where you live, the coronavirus sure hasn’t gone away. And in far too many states (over half at last count), the opposite is happening.
Cases are rising dramatically in Arizona, Texas, Florida, and more. And it’s forcing us to rethink everything we thought we knew about the infection and how to avoid it.
Now, new research reveals how quickly bugs like COVID-19 could be spread around. But more importantly, it highlights the simple moves we can make that could help reduce our risk of getting infected from dangerous viruses.
With coronavirus “location” matters
I’m sure you’ve noticed how all the coronavirus “experts” have disappeared from the TV. My guess? They’re hiding in the bathroom, washing EGG off their faces since so many of their predictions have missed the mark.
It a good reminder that the only thing we know for sure about COVID-19 is that no one knows anything for sure. This is why much of the advice we’ve been given has turned out to be totally off base.
But there IS one pattern emerging from the research over and over again. It’s a clear sign of when you’re more likely to catch the coronavirus and not. And it turns out that just like real estate, it’s all about location, location, location.
There’s growing evidence that you’re far less likely to catch the virus when you’re outside. Very few outbreaks can be traced to outdoor contact. Keep your distance from others and wear your mask when leaving the house, and that risk could sink even further to basement-low levels.
But inside? That’s a whole other story. Because infections of all sorts can spread like wildfire indoors. And a new study helps us understand one way that could happen with a shocking experiment.
Experiment shows how viral infections can spread
University College of London researchers placed the harmless viral DNA from a plant on a single bedrail in a unit designed to CONTAIN viruses and STOP the spread of infections of all sorts. Then, over the next few days, they tested surfaces throughout the ward to see where it turned up.
In short, it was EVERYWHERE.
Incredibly, within just 10 hours, the viral DNA spread from that single bedrail to around 41 percent of surfaces tested. By day three, it was on more than half of all surfaces tested in the entire ward, and 86 percent of all areas tested in the room closest to where they placed the viral DNA.
Keep in mind just because a virus is found on a surface doesn’t mean it can easily infect humans. And most experts agree it’s not likely the MAIN way the coronavirus spreads.
But if you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes, even the FDA agrees you could potentially infect yourself.
Of course, surface contamination isn’t the only indoor viral threat we face. When someone is infected with the coronavirus, and they talk, sing, cough, sneeze, and even just breathe, the bug is sent out into the air in tiny saliva droplets. Then indoor air currents can keep the virus floating around the room, potentially spreading it to others.
This isn’t just true in hospitals. It’s also true in your own home. In fact, one report out of Wuhan found that 85 percent of infections were spread at HOME by people who came home sick and then infected other family members with the virus.
Help reduce COVID-19 risk with these 3 steps
So whether you find yourself still stuck in the first coronavirus wave… in the lull… or in wave two, here’s what you do.
- Don’t let your guard down. Treat this like we did back in March when it was new, and we were all extra cautious.
- Keep washing your hands diligently because, as the new study shows, the virus could be ANYWHERE. If it gets on your hands, it could get into your eyes, nose, or mouth and infect you.Keep those often-touched surfaces like handles, light switches, and counters clean, too. Be sure to follow the directions on the cleaning product’s label. Many require you to leave them on the surface for several minutes before wiping it clean.
- Wear a mask anytime you’re indoors except for your own home. If someone in your home is going in and out a lot they’re at a higher risk for coronavirus exposure. In that case you might want to discuss distancing yourselves indoors and even masking when around each other. And don’t forget to wash your masks after every wearing.
Remember, it’s just as important now as it was at the start of this pandemic to take steps to protect ourselves against this virus.
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