How Covid-19 spreads

Covid-19 is caused by a highly contagious coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. It is a relatively new virus strain and the exact parameters of infection and disease are still being determined. It is widely assumed that the virus spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks or breathes. These droplets can carry the virus and, once released in the air, can reach the respiratory system of people nearby. This is true whether the infected person shows symptoms of the disease or not. Spread increases in likelihood when people are in close contact, spend extended time in an enclosed environment, shout or sing or breathe heavily as in a gym for example.

Covid-19 is thought to live for up to several days on contaminated surfaces like cardboard, metal, plastic, fabric and other surfaces that are touched often. These assumptions are based on solid science and have led health officials around the globe to a consensus that the best way to combat the spread of the virus is frequent hand washing, physical distancing and disinfecting surfaces with chemicals known to kill coronaviruses. A list of adequate chemicals can be found here.