Wipe Your Phone, Researchers Find COVID Can Survive Up to 28 Days on Our Devices
We’re still in the midst of a world-wide pandemic, now raging for upwards of 8 months. We’ve been through the ‘wash your hands,’ and ‘wear a mask,’ and all other forms of extreme cleaning and temperature taking to keep our loved ones and employees safe.
But when was the last time you disinfected your smartphone or tablet?
We’re asking because researchers from Australia’s national science agency are now stating the COVID-19 virus “can stay active on smooth surfaces like smartphones, metal surfaces and paper money for much longer than the flu virus.”
How much longer? Up to 28 days. 11 days longer than the regular influenza virus.
The research team explains that this study provides an example of how robust the coronavirus really is compared to other viruses. The team states “these findings demonstrate SARS-CoV-2 can remain infectious for significantly longer time periods than generally considered possible.”
Although on cloth or other porous surfaces the virus is active for around half the time, 14 days.
We must clarify that the test was conducted in a constant 68 degrees, in dark conditions “to negate the effects of UV light,” and did not use “fresh mucous – normally present with viruses on surfaces.” Cardiff University Professor Ron Eccles opinion is that “infectious viruses will only persist for hours in mucus on surfaces rather than days.”
Regardless, this stresses the importance of cleaning the surfaces we hold closest to us at all times, our smart devices which most often have the largest touchscreens, and the most mucous. Ew.
If you are in need of new computer screens or I.T. or cybersecurity services, EnhancedTECH is here to help you reach your technology goals. Call (714) 970-9330 today!
-Emmy Seigler
Image Source: canva.com/design/DAEKgdyEac8/-9PznXFOjohKifu81mp_JA/edit?category=tACFajEYUAM
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