CURRENT HEALTH CONCERNS

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In the age of the coronavirus pandemic, many of us are seeing the world a little differently. Take public transport. As soon as I step on the tube, I start to make some mental calculations. What’s my best bet, if my goal is to avoid the virus? Should I grab a metal pole? Sit down? If there’s a fabric or plastic-y strap available, is that the better option?

As you may already know, COVID-19 spreads via respiratory droplets, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If an infected person coughs or sneezes, those virus-laden droplets spread to nearby surfaces — a subway pole, or restaurant table, or coffee cup. And if someone else comes by and touches those spots, then touches their face, they can end up getting sick.

What’s more, the coronavirus can linger — for up to nine days, depending on what it’s touching, says Darshan Shah, MD, founder, and Medical Director at Next Health. But not all surfaces are created equal. Here’s what you need to know about virus hotspots, and how you can avoid them.