Utensils, phone cases and other everyday items: How long COVID-19 lasts on surfaces

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — To mask or not to mask? That is the question when it comes to protecting yourself from COVID-19.

A lot of people have been, while others are ignoring the CDC’s recommendation last week that everyone wear cloth masks in public, because there are people with COVID-19 who don’t have symptoms, or aren’t showing it yet, and can spread the virus when they talk, cough or sneeze close to another person.

“It’s terrifying. You just don’t know,” said Riley Rabitaille, an Orlando resident.

The Journal of Medicine study found COVID-19 can remain on surfaces you probably touch every day, and probably for days.

Here is a breakdown of how long the virus can survive on some surfaces:

• Stainless steel, like a water bottle or utensils: Up to two days
• Plastic, such as your cellphone case: Up to three days
• Cardboard, like your mail or the packaging on some groceries: Up to two days

Health experts say you should wipe down those materials as soon as possible to avoid spreading the virus to other people in your house.

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