> but I thought we overwhelmingly determined that COVID-19 doesn't thrive on surfaces (very long) and its primary transmission vector is through the air,
It can last from hours to days depending on what it lands on and the environmental conditions like light/heat/humidity. (for example see https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanmic/article/PIIS2666-5...) Viral RNA can still be detected on surfaces for much much longer but that doesn't mean it's going to be getting anyone sick.
You're right that the primary transmission vector is through the air, and that the risk of getting it by other means is much lower but since people often cough and sneeze directly into their hands then wipe their wet (maybe virus filled) hands on things around them it's probably a good idea to keep washing your hands. In fact, it's probably a good idea to wash our hands more often even without Covid concerns. People are gross and spend a surprising amount of time rubbing their eyes or inserting fingers directly into their nostrils.
> “I want to be clear that nothing should change in terms of washing our hands and personal hygiene,”...In a piece for the Conversation, Vally said: “This isn’t to say surface transmission isn’t possible and that it doesn’t pose a risk in certain situations, or that we should disregard it completely. But, we should acknowledge the threat surface transmission poses is relatively small.”
It can last from hours to days depending on what it lands on and the environmental conditions like light/heat/humidity. (for example see https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanmic/article/PIIS2666-5...) Viral RNA can still be detected on surfaces for much much longer but that doesn't mean it's going to be getting anyone sick.
You're right that the primary transmission vector is through the air, and that the risk of getting it by other means is much lower but since people often cough and sneeze directly into their hands then wipe their wet (maybe virus filled) hands on things around them it's probably a good idea to keep washing your hands. In fact, it's probably a good idea to wash our hands more often even without Covid concerns. People are gross and spend a surprising amount of time rubbing their eyes or inserting fingers directly into their nostrils.
> “I want to be clear that nothing should change in terms of washing our hands and personal hygiene,”...In a piece for the Conversation, Vally said: “This isn’t to say surface transmission isn’t possible and that it doesn’t pose a risk in certain situations, or that we should disregard it completely. But, we should acknowledge the threat surface transmission poses is relatively small.”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/28/clean...
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