Stay safe from the coronavirus- avoiding touching these items

The deadly coronavirus was thought to live on surfaces for two to three days, but a new CDC report says it lasted more than five times as long on the Diamond Princess Cruise ship. Some cabins were detected to have coronavirus for up to 17 days. But what does that mean for everyday surfaces?

When you head to the store or gas station, it’s impossible not to touch things. Things like that gas pump, buttons, screens, ATMs, and shopping carts. After we touch objects like these, we proceed to touch door handles, steering wheels and of course that cell phone!

Health experts say germs can travel from surface to surface using your hands. According to a new study performed by the National Institutes of Health, CDC, UUCLA and Princeton University… coronavirus is detectable on things like cardboard for 24 hours and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. 

Many people are wearing gloves and using paper towels to avoid contact. Monterey resident, Rose Campbell was filling up her tank doing just that. She says, “[I’m] trying to stay safe, and doing my part as an American to not spread this anymore.”

At the end of the day, we shouldn’t be afraid to touch things. But we do need to pay attention to how we do it, and wash those hands!