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Research results highlight the importance of frequent hand washing and mobile phone screens
Since the outbreak of the epidemic, our fear of the things around us has also increased.
Today, this type of scene has appeared in public places around the world: people try to open the door with their elbows, travelers walk carefully on the train to avoid holding on to the handrails, and office workers clear the table at first glance. morning time …
A few days ago, Australian researchers said that on smooth surfaces such as banknotes, mobile phone screens and stainless steel, the infectivity of the new coronavirus can remain for up to 28 days.
Many countries are currently facing the second wave of a fierce epidemic. After the results of the Australian research were published, they immediately attracted widespread attention. However, doubts have also appeared in the academic community.
What are the main points in dispute?
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A national scientific research institution in Australia said that the vitality of the SARC-COV-2 virus that causes Covid-19 disease is far beyond previous imagination.
However, the experiment was carried out in a low-light laboratory setting. Previous studies have found that UV light can kill viruses.
In addition, some experts have also questioned the risk of contracting the new coronavirus from contact with contaminated items in real life.
The main channel of transmission of the new coronavirus is respiratory droplets from close contacts, such as coughing, sneezing and talking.
But there is also evidence that the new coronavirus can be transmitted through aerosols. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Research also said that it is possible to cause an infection from contact with the surface of metal and plastic objects that contain the virus, but this is not common.
What does the new Australian study say?
Previous laboratory studies have shown that the new coronavirus can survive for 2-3 days on banknotes, glass and other surfaces, and up to 6 days on plastic and stainless steel surfaces.
However, the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) found that the vitality of the new coronavirus is “very tenacious” and can survive 28 days on smooth surfaces such as mobile phone screens, plastic or paper money.
However, the preconditions for the experiment are: the temperature is 20 degrees Celsius (equivalent to room temperature) and the light is dim.
In contrast, influenza viruses can survive for 17 days under the same conditions.
The results of the research were published in the latest issue of the “Journal of Virology”.
The study also found that as the temperature increases, the survival time of the new coronavirus will shorten. When the temperature rises to 40 degrees, the virus on the surface of certain materials disappears within 24 hours.
The virus survives longer on smooth, non-porous materials than on porous materials such as textiles.
What objections are raised?
Professor Ron Eccles, former director of the Cold Research Center at Cardiff University in Wales, criticized the Australian research. He said that the statement that “the new corona virus survives for 28 days” will cause “unnecessary panic” among the public.
Professor Eccles said that the virus is generally caused by mucus from coughing, sneezing or spreading on the surface of objects through the touch of dirty fingers. (Australia) This study did not use human mucus as a vector for virus transmission.
Professor Eccles also said that the newly secreted mucus is not conducive to the survival of the virus, because it contains a large number of white blood cells, which are responsible for producing enzymes that can kill the virus, and may also contain antibodies and other chemicals that they can destroy the virus.
“In my opinion, infectious viruses can only survive in mucus on the surface of objects for hours, not days,” said Professor Eccles.
Rutgers University Professor Emanuel Goldman of Microbiology wrote in an article published in the medical journal “The Lancet” published in July this year that the possibility of (the new corona virus) spreading through inanimate surfaces it is very small.
He said those studies that find serious risks are often conducted under conditions that are “very different from real life.”
Last week, Monica Gandhi, a professor of medicine at the University of California, said that the new coronavirus will not spread through contact with contaminated surfaces.
How should we treat it?
The new research results are at leastHighlight the importance of cleaning your phone frequently.
Gersh, BBC Science Correspondent（Pallab Ghosh）analysis
The new coronavirus is transmitted mainly through the air. Studies have shown that the infectivity of the virus can be maintained for more than three hours in airborne particles. It’s hard to be sure how traditional it is through channels like banknotes and mobile phone screens.
Studies have focused on the survival time of the virus on the surface of stainless steel, but the results of the different studies are quite different: from 3 days to 14 days at room temperature.
(Australia) New research focuses on how long the virus can survive on surfaces such as glass, paper or plastic, currency and steel. They found that under the condition of 20 degrees Celsius, residual viruses can be found on the surface of all materials after 28 days, far exceeding the results of previous studies.
However, it should be noted that this research was carried out in a “virus-friendly” environment, with dim light, constant temperature, and constant humidity. In real life, the virus may not be in such good condition.
Still, the research still reminds us that in addition to washing our hands frequently, we should also clean the screen regularly and try not to touch our face to minimize the risk of infection.
Why study the survival time of the virus?
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Many companies have stepped up cleaning during the epidemic
CSIRO Director Dr. Marshall (Larry Marshall) said that knowing the survival time of the virus can help people make “more accurate predictions” and more effectively prevent the spread of the virus.
The head of the research project said that the ability of the new coronavirus to survive low temperatures and stainless steel surfaces also helps us understand why there are frequent outbreaks in cold rooms and meat processing plants.
Group infections have occurred in meat processing plants and slaughterhouses in many countries around the world. Other explanations also include the need for close contact with employees, the low temperature and high humidity in the work environment, and the noise from machines causing workers to speak loudly.
The CSIRO researchers also said their findings also confirmed previous conjectures: The virus can survive on fresh and frozen food.
