Glass Counters & COVID-19
Around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic that rocked the first half of 2020 shows no signs of stopping as the year soon comes to a close. If anything, parts of the world are experiencing more severe spikes than ever.
You’re taking every precaution at home to stay safe and protect the health of yourself and your family. We’re here to provide some information and tips on keeping your glass counters COVID-free.
Understanding COVID-19: What You Need to Know
COVID-19 is a disease spread by a type of coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2. If you’ve been exposed to someone with the virus, your symptoms can begin in as little as two days or as long as 14 days. Those symptoms may include diarrhea, runny nose, no ability to smell or taste, body aches, breathing difficulties, chills, nausea and/or vomiting, congestion, sore throat, headache, fever, and cough.
Some patients experience very mild symptoms and others no symptoms at all. The older you are, the higher the likelihood of severe symptoms, including those that could lead to hospitalization and even death. If you have a preexisting condition, you also must safeguard yourself, as COVID could strike you more severely.
How Long Does COVID-19 Last on Glass Surfaces?
You’ve created a disinfecting routine when you or anyone you live with gets home from going out (and you’re not going out much). Everything gets cleaned, including surfaces that dirty items may have touched. You quickly launder clothes and wipe down shoes.
Still, you worry that infected air droplets could linger on some household surfaces, as you’ve heard COVID can be especially hardy on certain materials. How long does it last on glass?
Indeed, the virus can live up to five days on glass surfaces, which is actually the longest of any household materials. COVID can survive on wood for only four days, stainless steel and plastic for three days, cardboard for one day, and copper for four hours.
The time in which the most live virus is on a household surface is directly after exposure. As the hours and days go by, the virus lessens. This doesn’t mean infection is impossible at this point, just not as likely to happen.
How to Disinfect Glass Counters and Other Surfaces
Knowing what you do now about how the coronavirus can live on glass for up to five days, you want to leave nothing up to chance. How do you disinfect your glass surfaces so they’re completely corona-proof?
A disinfectant that can kill coronavirus is recommended according to CDC guidelines. The instructional label on your cleaning product of choice will tell you how much of the product to use, how long to keep it on the glass countertop, and how to clean it off.
Do make sure that you’re cleaning your glass countertop when any outside item makes contact with it. To prevent your family from putting dirty purses, grocery bags, briefcases, or backpacks on the glass countertop, create a cleaning station in the entryway of your home. Begin cleaning these items as soon as they come into the house so you limit the spread of germs.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/cleaning-disinfecting-decision-tool.html
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-long-will-coronavirus-survive-on-surfaces/
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