The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the coronavirus cannot be easily acquired by just touching objects and surfaces. In addition, a new study warned that Blue Light could lead to premature aging and dark skin patches.
Also Read: COVID-19 App: Older People With No Smartphones Might be a Problem, Says Report
According to USA Today's latest report, that CDC, which has always warned the public that touching contaminated objects or surfaces can lead to COVID-19 infection, clarified that the coronavirus infection does not spread easily by touching surfaces or objects, nor by human-to-animal contact or the other way around.
Also Read: COVID-19 Update: Type 1 Diabetics More Likely to Die From Coronavirus; COVID-19 in Saliva Can Travel More Than 5 Meters
"COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning about how it spreads," explained the CDC in its guidelines which were recently updated. "It may be possible for COVID-19 to spread in other ways, but these are not thought to be the main ways the virus spreads." the CDC further explained.
Dr. John Whyte, chief medical officer for the healthcare website WebMD, stated that the slight update of CDC on its guidelines helps reduce fears among the public by bringing clarity. Whyte reiterated that people were concerned that they would be infected by simply touching a contaminated surface. Although the virus may linger on an object or surface, it doesn't mean that it is actually infectious.
CDC confirmed that COVID-19 cannot be easily acquired through surfaces and objects: Premature aging and dark skin patches can be caused by blue light
According to USA Today, practicing social distancing and staying away six feet away from other people are the main ways provided by the CDC to prevent further infection. The CDC clarified that acquiring the novel coronavirus from boxes delivered by Amazon or other takeout food bags is very unlikely since coronaviruses have poor survivability on solid surfaces.
Meanwhile, people can have skin damage in their own houses during the lockdown. A new study stated that "Blue Light" found in homes can lead to premature aging and dark skin patches.
According to The New York Times' latest report, blue light us usually emitted by phones, laptops, televisions, tablets, and even LED light bulbs which are usually the source of lights in many houses.
It was explained that Blue Light destroys collagen through oxidative stress, just like cells being damaged by ultraviolet light. Unstable oxygen molecules are produced by the chemical reaction when skin called "flavin" absorbs the blue light, leading to skin damage. However, this skin damage can be prevented by limiting the blue light emitted by the devices at home.
Experts suggested that standard LED bulbs should be replaced by a light bulb that emits less blue light. The "night shift' feature of an Apple product can also help since it will create a warmer screen tone. However, the gold standard in blue light protection is using mineral sunscreens with iron oxides, which was proven more effective against visible light compared to titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
