How effective are face masks? What at home needs cleaning?
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about making social choices during the coronavirus pandemic:
A: The actual effectiveness of face coverings and physical distancing likely will never be known, but using these proactive measures are an important step and help reopen the economy as safely as possible — and to keep it open. But, broad compliance must exist, as Harvard Health officials point out.
The coronavirus spreads when someone breathes in contaminated droplets emitted primarily through coughs or sneezes by an infected person. The virus also can be spread when you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Physical distancing of at least six feet and wearing a tight-fitting cloth mask that covers your nose and mouth can help prevent spread.
Researchers at Columbia University recently reported that 36,000 fewer people would have died from the outbreak had physical distancing measures and the use of face coverings started one week earlier, according to the Harvard Health Coronavirus Resource Center. The report also suggests that 54,000 fewer people may have died had such measures been in place two weeks earlier.
A: This type of test looks for antibodies to the COVID-19 in a person’s blood. These antibodies are produced when someone gets COVID-19, but it typically takes one to three weeks to develop these antibodies, according to the CDC. Some people may take even longer to develop antibodies and some people may not develop any at all.
A positive result from this test may mean that person was previously infected with the virus. Talk to your health care provider about what your antibody test result means.
Still, an antibody test should not be used to diagnose COVID-19, the CDC says. You need a viral test to see if you are infected. These tests identify the virus in respiratory samples, such as swabs from the inside of your nose.
The CDC reports it’s still not clear whether having antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19 can protect someone from a future infection or, if they do, how long this protection might last. Research continues in that area.
A: The CDC recommends that you clean and disinfect all surfaces that are touched frequently, such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.
If the surfaces appear to be dirty, clean them with detergent or soap and water before you disinfect them. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work for that, but check out the CDC’s recommendations for household cleaning and disinfection at CDC.gov for more information.