Study highlights how long COVID-19 can live on certain surfaces
A study shows COVID-19 can live on surfaces for up to two to three days.
Dr. Jen Ashton, the chief health and medical editor and chief medical correspondent for ABC News spoke about the longevity of the virus in an interview with David Muir.
"The New England Journal of Medicine in laboratory settings, found three hours the particles can live in the air, four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard those boxes and two to three days on plastic and stainless steel -- so it reinforces, clean those surfaces," Dr. Ashton said.
Many Americans are spending an increasing amount of time inside but there are still times where people find themselves having to go out for the essentials or ordering things from delivery services.
This is why it's important to know where the virus may live for more than just a few seconds and to remember to wipe things down.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads."
One Columbia pizza deliverer says the company he works for has begun to implement new practices.
"We do something called no-contact deliveries, and its where we just leave it (the pizza) at the door and we really just like try and call them and not touch their door in any way and we wear gloves," said Robert Floyd, who works for Imo's Pizza.
Several other delivery services have also taken precautions.
According to its website, DoorDash shipped more than a million sets of free hand sanitizer and gloves to its drivers. The company also offers a no-contact delivery option.
Uber is taking similar steps by giving customers a "leave at the door" option during checkout.
An MU student told ABC 17 News that he feels more comfortable staying in Columbia with his young roommates rather than going home to his parents' place because he feels like he is less at risk.
"That's one of the reasons I decided to stay in Columbia even with the campus closed its because all the people in my house are people like below 25 so there's low risk, so I don't have to really worry about my parents who are 55 or 56 so there's less of a burden, I can self-isolate and it's not a big deal," said Jeffrey Kerley, an MU student.
However, Dr. Ashton says social distancing applies to everyone.
"Because the most vulnerable group is in the older population, it does not mean that young people are immune from this so everyone needs to take precaution," said Dr. Ashton.
You can find more information on the spread of COVID-19 on the CDC's website here or the National Institutes of Health's website here.
