Here’s a quick link to an interesting article from the New York Time’s fun Really? series; how long do viruses last on surfaces, and which is hardier: a flu or a cold virus? The answer may surprise you. But it’s a good teaching moment that these viruses are very contagious and definitely can last on doorknobs, escalator rails, hands — all surfaces. That’s why it’s always good to be preventive and wash your hands when needed, and to carry around those alcohol gels in your bags — and use them! It seems like common sense, doesn’t it? And yet studies show that even doctors don’t wash their hands often enough in hospitals, and strict monitoring of doctor hand washing can quickly decrease hospital-related infections. Louis Pasteur discovered germs in the mid-1800’s and here we are, still trying to educate even doctors about simple hand washing…

Link: Really? – The Claim – Flu Viruses Live Longer on Surfaces Than Cold Viruses