Op-ed: We’re doing too much COVID-19 cleaning
There is no need to constantly disinfect surfaces to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Joseph Allen and other experts.
In a December 11, 2020 Washington Post op-ed, Allen associate professor of exposure assessment science and director of the School’s Healthy Buildings Program and his co-authors wrote, “We don’t have a single documented case of covid-19 transmission from surfaces. Not one.” They added, “The reality is that the novel coronavirus spreads mainly through the air.”
They explained that while other viruses, such as rhinovirus and norovirus, are transmitted through contaminated surfaces known as “fomites” evidence suggests that such transmission is not common with the coronavirus. And any potential fomite transmission from the coronavirus can be prevented through regular handwashing or use of hand sanitizer, according to the authors.
Summary
The Coronavirus Pandemic: Airborne Transmission, Ventilation and School and Workplace Reopenings
Facebook Live Q&A with Joseph Allen, Director of the Healthy Buildings Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Presented jointly by The Forum at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and The World from PRX & GBH
Friday, December 11, 2020
What is the latest scientific information about airborne COVID-19 transmission? And how might that information impact strategies around school and workplace closures and reopenings, particularly in light of recent COVID-19 case surges? Harvard Chan’s Joseph Allen, a healthy buildings expert, joined The World’s Elana Gordon for this Facebook Live Q&A.