In the gyms people are grabbing the handles of the same equipment. In a buffet lunch, people are touching the same takers. Thousands of hands are touching the same places in the public transport everyday.
According to Varpu Marjomäki, associate professor of cell and molecular biology at the University of Jyväskylä, that is where the real risk of coronavirus (koronavirus in Finnish) transmission lies.
Marjomäki talked to Yle and said, “It has been studied with influenza viruses that, within just five seconds, a significant part of the viruses are transmitted from the surface to the surface. For example, in the gym I would wear gym gloves.”
The viability of the coronavirus variant remaining on the surfaces has not yet been studied, but it is probably the same as coronaviruses in general: under good conditions for five to nine days.
Marjomäki added, “Nor does the virus seem to matter what the surface of the material is. Metal, glass, wood, paper, ceramic surface coronavirus still survive pretty well.”
SAUNA KILLS VIRUSES
Coronaviruses have a lipid or fat envelope around them. This means that the virus is relatively easy to destroy by dissolving its fat wrap.
“Even with good soap cleaning, the coronavirus can be destroyed. The virus also degrades, for example, in alcohol-based solutions. Even the sauna is useful, at these temperatures these viruses probably won't live anymore” said Marjomäki.
Chlorite used for disinfection is also used in high-efficiency cleaning. In this case, however, care must be taken not to use acidic substances at the same time to prevent the formation of toxic chlorine gas.
