The Chemistry of Food and Cooking Project - Cheesy Crumble Crackers
Recipe Card Final Product: Cheesy Crumble Crackers -
Reflection -
SARS-CoV-2 Project - Exploring Fomite Transmission
Art Piece/Final Product -
Artist's Statement -
Reflection -
How can the lens of chemistry be used to inform societal practice and policy designed to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2?
Fomite transmission is the transmission of a virus from a contaminated surface (a fomite) to a possible host. Virus particles get to the surface when a person who is already infected sneezes, coughs, etc, and droplets containing the particles fly out of their mouth and into the air, where if they are heavy/big enough they will fall onto the surface. Someone who touches the surface after this occurs could contract the virus if they touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. However, research has shown that the virus remains viable for a shorter amount of time on some surfaces than on others. For example, on copper it only lasts for up to four hours because the copper penetrates the cell wall of the virus and causes damage. On a surface like stainless steel, it can remain for up to 7 days at the most. One societal practice that would limit the spread of COVID-19 is to use copper for surfaces that are touched often such as door handles and countertops. As I mentioned above, it can only remain viable on this material for up to four hours, so it would be an ideal metal to use for things we touch often in public. Before doing research on fomite transmission for this project, I was worried about touching contaminated surfaces and contracting the virus. However, now I have I have researched fomite transmission a bit more, I am much less worried about this. Despite this, I will still wash my hands often and use hand sanitizer.
Fomite transmission is the transmission of a virus from a contaminated surface (a fomite) to a possible host. Virus particles get to the surface when a person who is already infected sneezes, coughs, etc, and droplets containing the particles fly out of their mouth and into the air, where if they are heavy/big enough they will fall onto the surface. Someone who touches the surface after this occurs could contract the virus if they touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. However, research has shown that the virus remains viable for a shorter amount of time on some surfaces than on others. For example, on copper it only lasts for up to four hours because the copper penetrates the cell wall of the virus and causes damage. On a surface like stainless steel, it can remain for up to 7 days at the most. One societal practice that would limit the spread of COVID-19 is to use copper for surfaces that are touched often such as door handles and countertops. As I mentioned above, it can only remain viable on this material for up to four hours, so it would be an ideal metal to use for things we touch often in public. Before doing research on fomite transmission for this project, I was worried about touching contaminated surfaces and contracting the virus. However, now I have I have researched fomite transmission a bit more, I am much less worried about this. Despite this, I will still wash my hands often and use hand sanitizer.
How did your knowledge of science grow through your work on the project? During this project, I learned a lot about fomite transmission. Some of the most interesting things I learned have to do with how likely a virus is to be transmitted off of a fomite depending on certain factors. One of these is the environment: depending on the humidity, temperature, and type of surface, a virus can remain viable for varied amounts of time. I mostly focused on the type of surface in this spectrum. As I mentioned briefly above, copper has one of the shortest viability times. SARS-CoV-2 can only remain so for up to four hours. Cardboard comes next at 24 hours, glass and wood at up to 4 days, and plastic and stainless steel bringing up the rear with a viability timeline of lasting up to 7 days. I also learned that in order for fomite transmission to be successful (for the virus to infect the host/the person who touched the fomite) a number of things must occur.
1. A large amount of the virus must get onto the surface
2. A possible host must touch the surface before the virus becomes unviable
3. The possible host must touch their eyes, nose, or mouth before washing their hands for 20 seconds and stripping it off.
1. A large amount of the virus must get onto the surface
2. A possible host must touch the surface before the virus becomes unviable
3. The possible host must touch their eyes, nose, or mouth before washing their hands for 20 seconds and stripping it off.
Evaluate the semester and the amount of Chemistry content we learned. How would you like that to change or stay the same?
I think that for this semester, I am glad we did this method. I learned a lot about our current situation than I would have otherwise and I am glad to have some scientific knowledge about this virus. However, I am a little bit worried that I will not get the chemistry background that I need for education in the future if we continue on this track. If possible, I think it would be good to do whatever a more standard chemistry class is next semester. But I also understand that there are limitations to what a standard chemistry class could be with online school, so I know that the method we are using right now may be easier to execute as a student and for teachers. I am not sure.
I think that for this semester, I am glad we did this method. I learned a lot about our current situation than I would have otherwise and I am glad to have some scientific knowledge about this virus. However, I am a little bit worried that I will not get the chemistry background that I need for education in the future if we continue on this track. If possible, I think it would be good to do whatever a more standard chemistry class is next semester. But I also understand that there are limitations to what a standard chemistry class could be with online school, so I know that the method we are using right now may be easier to execute as a student and for teachers. I am not sure.