Due to the spread of COVID-19, we’ve recently been inundated with inventive ways to wash our handsOpens in a new tab. Authorities have told us to self-quarantineOpens in a new tab as much as humanly possible. But understanding how germs spread isn’t as popular of a topic. Neither is why it’s important for us to stay quarantined and not touch our faces. Which is why it’s great to see that former NASA engineer and YouTuber Mark RoberOpens in a new tab has put out a video covering how germs, like the virus that causes COVID-19, manage to make their way from person to person.
Rober made the video over the course of the last couple of weeks in response to the pandemicOpens in a new tab that currently has much of the world on lockdown. He said he usually takes 6-12 monthsOpens in a new tab. He wanted to get the video out ASAP not only to help educate people about how germs spread, but also to help combat misinformation in the media regarding the dangers of COVID-19Opens in a new tab.
In the video, Rober goes to an elementary school, and uses a classroom full of kids, their teacher, a blacklight, and Glo GermOpens in a new tab to help educate people on how germs spread. Like real germs, you can’t see Glo Germ under normal light. Unlike real germs though, you can see the substance under blacklight. Glo Germ also spreads similarly to real germsOpens in a new tab, in that it transfers from one’s hands to the things they’ve touched.
This is anti-science and damaging. Because of this I’ve had to spend so much time over the past week trying to convince my Dad + others who watch FOX this is real. I saw the writing on the wall so I made a new vid about Covid19 dropping in about 10 hours.https://t.co/FWeeKvt7aiOpens in a new tab
— Mark Rober (@MarkRober) March 18, 2020Opens in a new tab
After applying the Glo Germ to a single teacher’s hands, as well as one student’s, it only takes a couple of hours before it’s spread across tons of objectsOpens in a new tab and surfaces inside of the classroom. In composite photos Rober made, like the one below, you can see the Glo Germ on a wall, faucet, lid, and table (among other surfaces). And after having the kids shake hands with each other, it basically ends up on every one of them.
Mark Rober
Rober also highlights the importance of not touching one’s face when it comes to preventing the spread of germs. He also demonstrates just how difficult that ask is. It’s unfortunate, because, according to Rober, our face holes are like Death StarOpens in a new tab thermal exhaust ports. They are the major weaknesses in our body’s design; when it comes to germs, at least.
Featured Image: Mark RoberOpens in a new tab
