As experts gain knowledge on COVID-19, the infectious respiratory disease wreaking havoc on many facets of society, they are learning more about how it spreads and how long it can survive on surfaces.

The respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus can be spread a few different ways, according to Dr. Megan Srinivas, an infectious disease specialist at Community Health Center of Fort Dodge.

“Respiratory droplets are the biggest way,” she said, and the reason health care workers wear masks.

More studies need to be done to determine whether the disease can be airborne, similar to tuberculosis.

Respiratory droplets spread briefly through the air, but are brought down to the ground within about six feet of where they were expelled. The smaller droplets necessary for a much more pervasive airborne transmission must be less than 5 microns, making them light enough to hang in the air. For reference, the width of a human hair is about 100 microns.

Srinivas said concerns will continue to linger for now, as there is no proof in favor of or against theories of airborne transmission.

With contaminated surfaces, she said that the coronavirus can survive for anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the type of surface. Studies have shown that paper and cardboard were on the lower end of the range, with items like hard plastic and certain metals at the higher end.

The World Health Organization, cited by the Iowa Newspaper Association on the safety of handling newsprint, says that receiving packages and commercial products from areas where COVID-19 has been reported remains safe.

“The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low, especially for a package or item that has been moved and exposed to different conditions and temperatures,” the WHO’s website said in a coronavirus briefing.

Srinivas said that those handling items like grocery bags from a trip to the store or boxes of carry-out and delivery from restaurants should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds afterwards, especially before touching food or eating. Those without ready access to water can use hand sanitizer, rubbing hands vigorously for 20 seconds or until dry.

She said that while the risk of transmission through such a surface remains a lower concern than respiratory transmission, there is little data available on the coronavirus now to quantify how much lower the concern is.

“We just know the risk is less,” she said. “Every single day, we’re learning something new about the virus. What we know about the virus today is vastly different than what we knew a few weeks ago.”

The infectious disease specialist also said that minimizing exposure to contaminated surfaces and environments through certain tactics can help, too. When grocery shopping, send one person for the family and try to limit trips to once each week. Practice good hygiene more conscientiously and frequently. Wash your hands every time you touch your face.

In addition to good hygiene, Srinivas said the best tactic against transmission remains social distancing and staying at home whenever possible.

“It’s the only way to prevent transmission,” she said, helping health care systems stay ahead of a spike of infections currently plaguing other parts of the United States. “That’s why ensuring that everyone stays home now is important.”