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Hygiene practices can prevent the spread of diseases like this. Wash your hands, don't touch your face, etc. Wear a surgical mask and limit interactions with

Hygiene practices can prevent the spread of diseases like this. Wash your hands, don't touch your face, etc. Wear a surgical mask and limit interactions with others if you're sick. But this virus spreads via droplet transmission, so just being within 6 feet of someone who's infected (and coughs/sneezes) is enough to spread it. If you're referring to the overuse of hand sanitizer and other disinfectant agents, it might be reasonable to conjecture that their use contributes to the spread of pathogenic bacteria because they destroy non-pathogenic bacteria that could out-compete the pathogenic ones for resources. But this is a virus. It doesn't reproduce outside the body, so I don't think that train of thought applies here.

wyldfire 7y ago
> If you're referring to the overuse of hand sanitizer and other disinfectant agents I'm thinking more generally: I was thinking along these lines because the news report I heard [1] described 'wet markets' as a place where disease spread. I'd never heard of it before. But it occurred to me that centuries ago, this kind of thing might have been more common. Processes and regulations for handling of animal products are a net benefit but I wonder if there are any drawbacks. [1] https://www.npr.org/2020/01/29/800725826/why-wet-markets-are-the-perfect-place-to-spread-disease https://www.npr.org/2020/01/29/800725826/why-wet-markets-are...
- Symmetry 7y ago
  Oh, eating of bushmeat is certainly how this made the jump from bats to humans in the first place. But it doesn't really have anything to do with its spread among humans.
pmoriarty 7y ago
"But this virus spreads via droplet transmission, so just being within 6 feet of someone who's infected (and coughs/sneezes) is enough to spread it." On the other hand, people don't seem to be symptomatic for 2 weeks, so they won't be coughing or sneezing during that time, so ordinary hygiene should be enough to prevent most infections during the incubation period. After people do become symptomatic, the widespread media attention and fear among the general public will likely cause them to go to the hospital or isolate themselves from each other, which should further reduce infections.
- slumdev 7y ago
  It would make sense that risk is lower before symptoms appear, but it's still there. Everybody sneezes occasionally, coughs to clear their throat, etc. Smokers more so.

wyldfire 7y ago

> If you're referring to the overuse of hand sanitizer and other disinfectant agents I'm thinking more generally: I was thinking along these lines because the news report I heard [1] described 'wet markets' as a place where disease spread. I'd never heard of it before. But it occurred to me that centuries ago, this kind of thing might have been more common. Processes and regulations for handling of animal products are a net benefit but I wonder if there are any drawbacks. [1] https://www.npr.org/2020/01/29/800725826/why-wet-markets-are-the-perfect-place-to-spread-disease https://www.npr.org/2020/01/29/800725826/why-wet-markets-are...

Symmetry 7y ago
Oh, eating of bushmeat is certainly how this made the jump from bats to humans in the first place. But it doesn't really have anything to do with its spread among humans.

pmoriarty 7y ago

"But this virus spreads via droplet transmission, so just being within 6 feet of someone who's infected (and coughs/sneezes) is enough to spread it." On the other hand, people don't seem to be symptomatic for 2 weeks, so they won't be coughing or sneezing during that time, so ordinary hygiene should be enough to prevent most infections during the incubation period. After people do become symptomatic, the widespread media attention and fear among the general public will likely cause them to go to the hospital or isolate themselves from each other, which should further reduce infections.

slumdev 7y ago
It would make sense that risk is lower before symptoms appear, but it's still there. Everybody sneezes occasionally, coughs to clear their throat, etc. Smokers more so.