How virus' are transmitted - your hands not a big deal?

I've always thought that the main way to catch a cold or the flu is to get the germs into either your nose or eyes. This can happen via 2 ways:
1. Someone sneezes/coughs/talks to you and the germs come with their breath to your eyes/nose (now a days we all know its due to 'droplets')
2. They touch their eyes/nose and then touch something (leaving germs) and then you touch the same thing and touch your eyes/nose

I've always thought #2 is the most common way of getting sick, since when was the last time you remember someone sneezing/coughing on you. Thats why everyone says 'WASH YOUR HANDS" etc.

But I've read a few articles the past few days that says method #2 is very rare for covid-19. (and I assume for most colds/flu then)

For example this article:
https://www.seriouseats.com/2020/03/food-safety-and-coronavirus-a-comprehensive-guide.html

under section:
Aside from inhalation, are there other ways coronavirus can spread?
"The German Federal Institute for Risk Assesment (BfR) reports that it is also possible—but unlikely—that the virus could be spread through "smear" infection. In these cases, a healthy person would touch a contaminated surface with their hands—say, a can of soup, a touchscreen ATM, or a subway turnstile—then transfer the virus to their eyes or nose. There have been no known cases of this method of transfer, and it is thought to be far less likely than droplet infection. "

They aren't even saying its "less likely" they're all "far less likely" which makes it seem like this method is very rare.
wtf!

Like I said, I thought this method was the main way, but it sounds like its not even common which is very very strange to me.
Have I been wrong in thinking thats the most common way of getting colds/the flu?

Message edited 3/26/2020 10:40:50 PM.

Re: How virus' are transmitted - your hands not a big deal?

I also always thought that #2 was the way we catch pretty much anything. Especially because it’s rare I catch things on my own because I’m a huge hand washer when coming in from outside BUT I don’t wash my hands throughout the day when home unless I’m cleaning something. Which then lead me to believe that DH gets sick because he’s a big face and eye toucher throughout the day and then brings it home where we touch the same stuff and I may then touch my face, etc.

The only time I get sneezed on is when I’m with my small nieces. I almost always catch colds from them because of that.

How many sneezes / coughs are we walking into? I know for me (I’m a little nutty) when I hear someone sneeze, I hold my breath and they get a bless you when I feel I’m far enough a way to open my mouth lol

Message edited 3/27/2020 1:17:20 AM.

Re: How virus' are transmitted - your hands not a big deal?

Our hands are the dirtiest places on our bodies. So honestly the hand washing and not touching your face is probably good advice right now. Even if it doesn’t prevent covid, it can prevent other illnesses that weaken your immune system or mimic covid symptoms causing unneeded worry.

But this was interesting.

How virus' are transmitted - your hands not a big deal?

I guess it does sort of make sense because since I always thought #2 was the primary way we get sick I am always paranoid about sanitizing my hands.

After opening a door, using an elevator, etc I use hand sanitizer but I still get sick a few times a year.
So I guess I must be walking into sneezes all the time then.

But it really is a surprise that #2 (supposedly) is not a big factor.

Re: How virus' are transmitted - your hands not a big deal?

Message edited 3/27/2020 6:55:56 AM.

How virus' are transmitted - your hands not a big deal?

You can get COVID from touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your nose/mouth/eyes. The virus lives on hard surfaces for days.

It's not only transmitted by walking through sneezes.

How virus' are transmitted - your hands not a big deal?

I think the vector transmission is there but pretty low. If it were higher they wouldn't have had such an easy time tracking back the early infections to their source if people were picking it up on random door handles or at the grocery store.