Is it safe to drink from a water source during the pandemic?

Is it safe to drink from a water source during the pandemic? There is no evidence that you can get COVID-19 from the water itself. But coronavirus that causes the disease can survive on surfaces, so experts recommend avoiding sources as much as possible or limiting direct contact when using them.

In New York City, for example, posters ask users to use gloves or a tissue to activate water fountains. If you don’t have any of that on hand and need to use it, experts recommend washing your hands after doing so and avoiding touching your face while. And you shouldn’t let your face touch the tap when approaching to drink.

Filling a bottle with water is better than drinking straight from the source, said Angela Rasmussen, a virus researcher at Columbia University. This helps ensure that no saliva is left in the fountain, making it safer for others.

These precautions are recommended because surfaces are believed to contribute to the spread of the coronavirus, although experts argue that the main route of infection is through the droplets that people release when they speak, cough or sneeze.

To minimize direct contact with sources, schools and businesses should encourage everyone to bring their own water from home, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite this, the fountains must be cleaned and disinfected for those who need to use them, the agency added.

According to the CDC, schools and companies should check sources for other problems before reopening. Prolonged shutdowns could increase the risk of legionella and other water-related illnesses, as stagnant pipes can lead to bacteria growth.