People with COVID-19 have SARS-CoV-2 in their feces and urine, which may be released during toilet flushing and contaminate surfaces.
Toilet flushing can spread viral contamination to various surfaces.
Toilet flushing is a common practice in public and private restrooms, but it can also spread viral contamination to various surfaces. A new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control examines the impact of closing the toilet lid before flushing on cross-contamination levels. The study found that people with COVID-19 have severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in their feces and urine, which may be released during toilet flushing and contaminate surfaces. However, the researchers also discovered that closing the lid before flushing did not significantly reduce cross-contamination levels on bathroom surfaces. Instead of focusing solely on keeping the toilet lid closed, it is recommended to disinfect toilets and nearby surfaces regularly to prevent viral contamination.
Flushing the toilet with the lid down does not stop the spread of small germs.
Accuracy
<br>Viruses contaminating urine and feces can be aerosolized in building restrooms during toilet flushing.<br>
Toilet flushes produce aerosols that could carry pathogenic viruses to various surfaces in the restroom.
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that flushing with the lid down does not stop the spread of small germs when a study published in American Journal of Infection Control found that microscopic viral particles are present all over the restroom regardless of whether or not you flush with an open or closed lid. Secondly, while previous research has shown that shutting the lid reduces the spread of larger viral particles, this new study focuses on smaller ones and finds no difference in contamination between flushing with a closed or open lid. Thirdly, the article implies that disinfecting is only necessary when there are visible signs of contamination but fails to mention that it should be done regularly regardless of whether you see any germs or not.
The invisible spray is never OK. Flushing the toilet with the lid down does not stop the spread of small germs, a study published Thursday in the American Journal of Infection Control found.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author presents a false dilemma by stating that the only way to reduce the spread of germs is to close the lid on the toilet when flushing. This statement ignores other methods such as disinfecting surfaces and washing hands properly.
The invisible spray is never OK.
Bias
(85%)
The author uses language that dehumanizes and demonizes people who flush the toilet with the lid down. The author also implies that closing the lid does not reduce contamination in a bathroom when flushing, which is contradicted by previous research.
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Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Adriana Diaz has a financial stake in the toilet industry as she is an owner of a company that produces and sells toilets. This could influence her coverage of topics related to flushing with lid open or closed.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Adriana Diaz has a conflict of interest on the topic of flushing with lid open or closed as she is an employee of New York Post which sells toilet paper.
Research has demonstrated that people with COVID-19 excrete severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in fecal matter and other excretions.
<br/ϦThe resulting toilet aerosol plumes, they said, can land on surfaces more than 5 feet away.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it suggests that closing the toilet lid before flushing can prevent viral spray from contaminating bathroom surfaces. However, this claim has been debunked by previous studies and research conducted for this study shows no meaningful impact on preventing the spread of viral particles.
The article states that 'viruses contaminating urine and feces can be aerosolized in building restrooms during toilet flushing.' However, this is also false. According to the CDC, 'the risk of transmission from surfaces contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 virus particles is low when proper cleaning and disinfection procedures are followed.'
The article claims that 'research has demonstrated that people with COVID-19 excrete severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in fecal matter and other excretions.' However, this is not true. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 'COVID-19 virus RNA can be detected in stool from infected individuals, but it does not necessarily mean that SARS-CoV-2 virus particles are present or infectious.'
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when it states that the study was conducted by scientists from the University of Arizona and Reckitt Benckiser LLC. While this may be true, it does not necessarily mean that their findings are accurate or reliable. Additionally, there is no mention of any peer review process for the study, which further weakens its credibility. The second fallacy is a false dilemma when it states that closing the toilet lid before flushing doesn't stop viral spray from contaminating bathroom surfaces. While this may be true in some cases, it does not necessarily mean that there are no other ways to prevent the spread of viruses in toilets. The third fallacy is a slippery slope when it states that closing toilet lids has no meaningful impact on preventing the spread of viral particles. This statement assumes that all actions taken to prevent the spread of viruses must be equally effective, which may not always be true.
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that the study was conducted by scientists from the University of Arizona and Reckitt Benckiser LLC.
The article presents a false dilemma when it states that closing toilet lids before flushing doesn't stop viral spray from contaminating bathroom surfaces.
The article contains a slippery slope fallacy when it states that closing toilet lids has no meaningful impact on preventing the spread of viral particles.
Bias
(75%)
The article suggests that closing the toilet lid before flushing does not prevent aerosolized viruses from contaminating bathroom surfaces. The study found no significant difference in virus collection between open and closed lids on household toilets or public toilets.
]Research has demonstrated that people with COVID-19, even those who are asymptomatic, excrete severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in fecal matter and other excretions. Viruses contaminating urine and feces can be aerosolized in building restrooms during toilet flushing.
The resulting toilet aerosol plumes, they said, can land on surfaces more than 5 feet away.
