While that might not be the most buzzworthy topic right now in regards to the COVID-19

不過這些話題也比不上目前的新冠病毒大流行來得吸睛

pandemic, it's very important to take precautions whenever we can.

我們必須盡可能採取各種預防措施

The UK's National Health Service reports that there are three primary ways that germs can

根據英國國民保健署的報告，病毒主要藉由衣服和毛巾，

be spread by clothes and towels: Shared towels or bedding can spread contamination… dirty

從以下三種途徑散播：共用毛巾或寢具

laundry can spread germs when handled… and even the laundering process itself can spread

處理待洗衣物時，甚至在是洗衣服的過程中都可能

germs.

散播病菌

Many of the guidelines for protecting yourself against COVID-19 focus on cleaning hard surfaces

許多關於防範新冠病毒感染的指導方針注重在清潔固體表面

and high-touch surfaces like your smartphone.

以及經常接觸的表面像是你的智慧型手機

"You don't actually need to use antibacterial or antiviral products on your phone.

你其實不需要用到抗菌或抗病毒產品來清潔手機

You can just use simple soap and water."

只要用肥皂和清水就行了

But the CDC also suggests that there's some risk involved when you're handling the clothes

但美國疾病管制暨預防中心 (CDC) 也表示在處理感染者的衣物

or bedding of an infected person.

及寢具的過程也有一些風險存在

They strongly recommend that you

他們強烈建議民眾

"Wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry from an ill person and then discard

當在處理病人的衣物時穿戴可拋棄式手套

[the gloves] after each use.

並且在每次使用後丟掉它們

If using reusable gloves, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection

當重複使用手套時，應該徹底清潔並消毒表面

of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other household purposes."

而且不能再用於處理新冠病毒以外的其他場合

And please be sure to wash your hands properly after handling the laundry.

另外洗完衣服時一定要徹底洗手

The CDC advises that,

CDC 建議大家，

"If possible, do not shake [your] dirty laundry.

盡量不要抖動你的髒衣服

This will minimize the possibility of dispersing virus through the air."

這能將病毒散播到空氣中的可能性降到最低

You should also make sure that you clean and disinfect any and all laundry hampers.

同時確保清潔及消毒所有的洗衣籃

The COVID-19 virus is extremely contagious, but of course, it can't jump from surface

新冠病毒的傳染力極強，但是想也知道，它可沒辦法像跳蚤一樣

to surface the way that fleas can.

從物體表面跳走

When experts describe the virus "jumping," they mean it in an entirely different way.

當專家們形容病毒會「跳躍」時，意思是病毒以非常不同的途徑傳播

As Quanta magazine reports,

根據量子雜誌的報告，

"[It's a disease that] can jump between humans and other animals.

這種疾病能在人類及其他動物之間互相傳播

[...] While the specifics differ, the mechanism relies on the same fundamental premise: access

儘管傳染的物種不同，感染機制都仰賴相同的基本前提：

and ability.

病毒的侵入途徑和感染力

Can a virus reach the cells of its host?"

也就是病毒是否能成功到達宿主細胞？

The COVID-19 virus can, of course, be spread through coughs and sneezes.

當然，新冠病毒能做得到這點，藉由病人的咳嗽和噴嚏

In fact, a single cough can produce up to 3,000 droplets, and these droplets can live

事實上，一次咳嗽能產生 3000 個飛沫微粒，這些飛沫微粒能

for several days on hard surfaces like metal, glass, or plastic.

在金屬、玻璃或塑膠等固體表面上存在數天。

Meanwhile, UCLA professor Jamie Lloyd-Smith told NPR,

同時，加利福尼亞大學 (UCLA) 的傑米． 羅伊．史密斯教授告訴全國公共廣播電台(NPR)，

"What [our] experiments show is that the virus can remain viable floating in the air for

我們的實驗顯示，病毒能懸浮在空氣中並持續存活

some number of hours.

數小時。

The experiments went out to three hours, and, you know, there were still viable viruses

實驗結果顯示可長達三小時，而且就跟你想的一樣，

present."

那些病毒還活著

But, as NPR reports,

但根據NPR的報告，

"Lloyd-Smith says this experiment definitely does not prove that people have been infected

羅伊．史密斯表示實驗無法完全證實人們是被懸浮在空氣中的病毒顆粒所感染

this way by particles of virus that float in the air, what scientists call aerosolized

科學家們稱此為

transmission.

「氣溶膠傳播」

He says what remains unknown is what dose is needed to infect someone."

現在還無法確定需要多少病毒量才能夠感染一個人

What is known is that it's exceptionally important to continue practicing social distancing and,

能夠確定的是，繼續確保社交距離是非常重要的

again, making sure that you wash your hands often.

還有記得常洗手

And in case you aren't entirely clear on what social distancing is, Johns Hopkins Medicine

如果你不清楚什麼是社交距離，約翰．霍普金斯醫院

explains,

是這樣解釋的：

"[It's] deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness.

社交距離就是人們有意拉開彼此間的距離以避免散播疾病

Staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chances of catching COVID-19."

離他人至少6英尺 (1.8公尺) 左右的距離能降低你染上新冠病毒的機率

It's also important not to touch people when greeting them so no handshakes or high-fives.

另外注意打招呼時不要碰觸到對方，因此別握手或擊掌

Your safest bet is simply not going out in public at all work from home, have your groceries

你的最佳策略就是完全別去公共場合、在家工作、網購日常用品

delivered, and communicate digitally instead of in-person.

以及用線上會面取代與本人見面

According to the CDC, person-to-person transmission is the primary way that the COVID-19 virus

根據 CDC 的說法，面對面的傳播是新冠病毒主要的

spreads.

傳染途徑

Basically, don't touch other people… or at least, don't touch other people who aren't

總之，不要碰觸其他人，或至少別碰觸

in your household.

家庭成員以外的人

Another important note: Surgical masks aren't recommended for the general public.

另一個重要備註：不建議一般大眾使用外科口罩

They should only be worn by medical professionals or people who are caring for an infected person.

只有醫療專業人員及病患的照顧者才需要戴口罩

That's because there's currently a critical shortage of personal protective equipment

那因為目前醫療廠商所提供的個人防護用裝備

for medical providers.

處於嚴重短缺的狀況

Meanwhile, if you've been out in public near at-risk persons or if you've been exposed

此外，如果你曾經外出接觸過高風險人群，或你曾接觸過疑似染病的人

to someone suspected of having coronavirus that large pile of laundry is even more pressing.

那堆待洗衣物的處理就更急迫了

The National Health Service recommends that you wash your laundry in water that's at least

國民保健署建議民眾，用至少華氏 140 度 (攝氏 60 度) 的溫水洗衣服

140 degrees Fahrenheit, and be sure to use a bleach-based product, which is available

然後務必使用含有漂白水成分的洗衣精

in most laundry aisles.

你能在商場的清潔用品區找到它們

The CDC also advises that you let these laundered items fully dry.

CDC 也建議洗好的衣物必須徹底晾乾

Stay safe out there!

出門在外注意安全！

On second thought… stay safe by staying indoors.

再考慮一下...還是別出門吧