There’s no good way to be infected by coronavirus, but this may be the worst.
Particles sent into the air by excrement being flushed down a toilet could spread the virus fueling the pandemic, according to researchers at China’s Yangzhou University, who published their findings in the Journal of Fluids.
“University found that fecal samples from some confirmed patients tested positive by nucleic acid detection, which provides evidence that SARS-CoV-2 has the possibility of fecal–oral transmission,” the study states.
People who use public washrooms or “family bathrooms” are believed to be at greatest risk. Toilet water particles can travel nearly 3½ feet into the air and “cause large area spread,” according to the study, which recommends those who use a shared commode close the lid before flushing.
Keeping toilet seats clean can reportedly limit transmission as can washing hands.
Researchers also suggest “a new design of waterless toilets could suppress the transmission of pathogens.”
