You certainly don’t have to comply...However, you sort of positioned yourself as very definitive..using words ‘vast majority’ and “Period,” for emphasis.
I would have been interested in a link because I am sterilizing every package coming in my house; it is getting very tiresome, but if there is proof that package surfaces are responsible for the vast majority of transmissions, I will continue to be very vigilant.
I watched many pressers early on, and I don’t remember anyone saying “and it is surfaces that lead to the vast majority of transference not aerosols. Period.” Sorry.
What concerns tho me is when things are posted as fact with no evidence...Fine...it is your opinion or belief, but not substantiated fact...So some people may read it and think they don’t need to worry about distancing, masks, etc. because you have indicated it transmits primarily thru surfaces...(BTW, most experts seem to indicate it is transmitted primarily thru droplets from coughs and sneezing...)
Many here don’t like the CDC, and they certainly do screw up, but a new study seems to indicate lower percentages from surface transmission...not that I trust it, but it is interesting and if accurate, perhaps a little reassuring
that if I miss a spot when sterilizing a package, I will be OK:
I am sure your doctor/father was correct about the virus cases he diagnosed and treated and how they were transmitted...However, perhaps this likely bio-engineered new coronavirus is very different from those of the 70s and 80s...For example, coronavirus can transmit asymptomatically, it can infect thru eyes, some suspect aerosol transmission, it affects many body organs, is found in body waste, is infecting some kids who later get Kawasaki Syndrome, etc...IMHO, It is not normal flu virus.
Frankly, I don’t believe we have all the facts on this virus~many conflicting studies,...so I am going to assume it is transmissible by all methods I mentioned...Oh and I also believe in masks...preferably N95...I have a family member doing grad work in infectious diseases/infection control who works in test lab—I will take their opinion.
Have a nice evening.
I wouldn’t worry too much about cardboard packages. I don’t think viruses survive very long on cardboard. More relevant, Everyone in the shipping chain, from “store” to shipping plant to drivers are employing every means possible to prevent contaminating them at this point in time.
Finally, your best defense in this regard is to open the package, remove contents and put the shipping carton wherever you put shipping cartons and go wash your hands. Problem solved with that step alone.
As far as the aerosol vs. surfaces debate please consider the contrast between these two typical public interactions ...
How often have you found yourself within six feet of a person who is coughing or sneezing?
Now, how often do you touch a surface in public such as a handrail, door handle, shopping cart etc. and how many people have touched that surface since it was last properly disinfected? That is your number of potential infectious contacts vs. one contact from the cougher/sneezer within six feet of you.
It is a respiratory virus. A corona virus. Two strains of corona virus are, among several other viruses, the cause of the common cold. All the same principles apply whether Covid-19 is natural or engineered. There is no logical reason to think otherwise.