Telecommuting is looking more and more attractive.
'The University of Arizona researchers conducted their study at an office building with 80 employees. They contaminated a push-plate door at the building entrance with a virus called bacteriophage MS-2. It doesn't infect people yet is similar in shape, size and survivability to common cold and stomach flu viruses. Within two hours, the virus had contaminated the break room—coffee pot, microwave button, fridge door handle—and then spread to restrooms, individual offices and cubicles. There, researchers found, the virus had heavily contaminated phones, desks and computers. By four hours, they found the virus on more than 50% of the commonly touched surfaces and on hands of about half of the employees in the office.'
Other fun experimental results also included in the article.
Germs at the Office Are Often Found on Keyboards and at Coffee Stations
Virus Went From Front Door to Half the Office in Four Hours, Study Finds
DOOM DOOM THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY WE CAN SURVIVE SHARED GERMS. Except for all those germs we share all the time. Short of all living in bubbles, I think we might get past this.
@LH – There was intentional hyperbole in the headline. Because, of course we share germs all the time. Some are more powerful (or more numerous), such that we actually come down with whatever they are; others we just shrug off. Thus the importance of a healthy immune system, rather than trying to sterilize the environment.
What’s fascinating here to me is how easily germs spread. Which I guess my mom could have told me, but hearing it from scientists has a greater impact.
(Also another reason to encourage people who are sick to STAY HOME.)