do at-home insemination kits work?
The latest guidance from the CDC suggests that excessive disinfecting is generally unnecessary unless someone in your home is sick or has been confirmed to have COVID-19. If you’re still haunted by memories of wiping down groceries and sanitizing every surface during the height of the pandemic, you can now relax a bit. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that “the risk of surface transmission is low” for the virus, meaning your standard cleaning routine should be more than adequate if you aren’t in close contact with anyone who is positive or suspected of being positive.
According to CNN, CDC representatives have confirmed that, in most cases, surface transmission is minimal. Vincent Hill, Chief of the Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, described it as “secondary to the primary routes of virus transmission through direct contact droplets and aerosols.” That said, while you shouldn’t go licking subway poles, household surfaces can typically be cleaned with your regular cleaning products. Hill pointed out that while the risk is higher on hard surfaces indoors, the virus dies “quickly” on porous surfaces and those exposed to direct sunlight.
Surface transmission risk appears to peak within the first 24 hours after infection when individuals may not yet know they are COVID-positive. In homes where someone has tested positive, CDC studies indicated that cleaning and disinfecting surfaces were effective in reducing transmission to others in the household.
If you’re uncertain about potential exposure in your home, Hill advises disinfecting high-touch areas like doorknobs, light switches, and kitchen and bathroom surfaces. However, these measures should complement, not replace, other established safety practices like maintaining distance from others, wearing masks, and frequent handwashing. “In most situations, cleaning surfaces with soap or detergent is sufficient to lower the already minimal risk of virus transmission via surfaces,” Hill said. “Disinfecting is usually not necessary unless a sick individual or a confirmed COVID-19 case has been in the home within the past 24 hours.”
Hill cautioned against “hygiene theater,” stating that while these practices may provide a false sense of security, they could decrease the likelihood of people adhering to essential preventive measures like mask-wearing and physical distancing.
It’s essential to also use cleaning products properly—spraying yourself with disinfectants not intended for skin use can be dangerous and ineffective. Hill noted, “Public inquiries suggest that some individuals may inadvertently ingest, inhale, or spray disinfectants on their skin without realizing that doing so can cause significant harm.”
In summary, remember: don’t mix bleach and ammonia, keep household cleaners off your skin, and never ingest these products. Ensure everyone in your household adheres to these guidelines as well. For more insights on this topic, check out one of our other blog posts here.
For more information on pregnancy and home insemination, visit CDC Pregnancy Resources. For authoritative information on home insemination kits, check out Make a Mom’s guide.
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Summary: The CDC has reassured the public that the risk of COVID-19 transmission through surfaces is low for most households, and regular cleaning is sufficient unless someone is confirmed or suspected to be positive. Disinfecting is not a necessity in typical situations, and other preventive measures should remain a priority.
Keyphrase: CDC COVID-19 surface transmission
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