As you can imagine cardboard has little microscopic holes in it, so the virus doesn’t like it very much,” says Dr. Esper.“And it doesn’t last too long on fabric either, typically less than a day.” Figuring out COVID-19’s infectious dose Still, viral particles continue making their rounds. (Those mangy freeloaders!) We asked infectious disease specialist Frank Esper, MD, to weigh in on how long the coronavirus can survive on surfaces. Coronavirus survival by surface Here’s how long the virus typically lasts on common surfaces, but it can change depending on sanitation efforts, sunlight and temperature: It’s important to note that the amount of live virus decreases over time on surfaces. So the risk of infection from touching something that had the virus on it for a few days (or even a few hours) would lessen the risk. Often times, people’s hands can transport the viral particles to different surfaces, even the face, where it can enter your body through your eyes, mouth or nose. (Hence why health officials are screaming at us not to touch our faces and to wash our hands.)

Paper and cardboard are very porous,” says Dr. Esper. “The virus doesn’t like surfaces like that. It likes smooth, even things.” While COVID-19 is mainly spread by inhaling tiny droplets released when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes, large droplets can also land on surfaces. (Hey, another reason to wear a face mask!) A healthy person can then unknowingly touch those surfaces and the next thing you know – the virus has gotten a free ride to wherever and whatever the person touches next. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{