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Update what_we_know_en.md
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marialma committed Mar 13, 2020
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Expand Up @@ -106,8 +106,7 @@ Per the [same report](http://www.ourphn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/20200225-Artic
There have been some reports that say that you can get infected twice. However, even if this were truly the case for this patient, this would be exceedingly rare, and much more likely the result of false negatives.

## How long does it survive on surfaces?
[This preprint from Doremalen et al](https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.09.20033217v1) contains the best
However, we know that temperature and humidity both have significant effects on a virus' ability to persist in the environment. Under the specific conditions used in the paper (65% relative humidity, ~70F/22C), a piece of plastic or stainless steel that was contaminated might still have viable virus up to 2-3 days later. On other surfaces: copper had viable virus up to 4 hours later, and cardboard had virus up to 24 hours later. This tells us that transmission through touching objects is definitely possible. It's important to note though that these numbers are only valid for the lab condition, under specific humidity/ temperature. Viral viability changes as a function of heat and temperature, too.
[This preprint from Doremalen et al](https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.09.20033217v1) contains the best we know so far. However, we know that temperature and humidity both have significant effects on a virus' ability to persist in the environment. Under the specific conditions used in the paper (65% relative humidity, ~70F/22C), a piece of plastic or stainless steel that was contaminated might still have viable virus up to 2-3 days later. On other surfaces: copper had viable virus up to 4 hours later, and cardboard had virus up to 24 hours later. This tells us that transmission through touching objects is definitely possible. It's important to note though that these numbers are only valid for the lab condition, under specific humidity/ temperature. Viral viability changes as a function of heat and temperature, too.

But, the only way this virus gets into your lungs from that surface is if you bring it there! The best way to manage this is to treat surfaces as if they might be contaminated. If you touch a table at a cafe, don't touch your face right after. Don't lick your finger after touching a doorknob. Definitely don't lick the doorknob itself.

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