As playgrounds ready to reopen CDC says COVID-19 not easily spread on surfaces

Families, the moment you’ve been waiting weeks for is just hours away as Lee county playgrounds reopen Friday and it comes just as the CDC says touching surfaces is a lot safer than previously thought.

The new guidance from the CDC is a big deal because prior research showed the virus can live on metal and plastic for days.

Now the country’s top scientists say the virus does not spread easily from touching surfaces or objects.

And researchers at MIT and Harvard are studying how heat and humidity reduce transmission. Anything hotter than 77-degrees helps eliminates the virus.

“So that certainly will lend itself to being outside. But, again we know it’s spread by air droplets so if there’s children or parents around that are sneezing or coughing those are the folks that really want to maintain distance from. And quite honestly they probably shouldn’t be there,” said Program Director of Physician Assistant Program at FGCU, Robert Hawkes.

But now is no time to drop your guard—Hawkes, provided a list of essentials that parents should pack as they’re heading out to these areas.

Masks for kids over two, sanitizer, and even wipes to clean off that equipment if it’s getting a lot of use.

And if there are bathrooms nearby, hand washing frequently is still your best option.

We know county staff will be monitoring these areas to make sure people are social distancing.

They will also be frequently cleaning equipment as well.