As the future begins to brighten with respect to COVID-19, it is evident that it has reshaped how we live and work. Throughout the pandemic, one subject getting a lot of attention was hygiene and sanitization. Initially it was believed that the coronavirus could be transmitted by touching a surface that an infected person had previously touched, leading people to be wary of everything from payment terminals to doorknobs. The CDC later clarified that while it is possible to be infected by coronavirus through contact with contaminated surfaces, the risk is generally thought to be low. Still, it’s conceivable that the ancient tradition of greeting people with a handshake will become a thing of the past. What’s more, the way we once interacted with surfaces is now becoming hands-off.
As more people head back to work and into public places, the infected-surfaces mindset lingers. After all, there are infectious illnesses other than COVID-19, such as norovirus, that are known to live on surfaces much longer. In addition, the recommendation to reduce touch points in buildings still may be in effect through state or local government directives. Thus, society has been adapting as many functions as possible to touchless mode — tasks such as handling banking and payments, maneuvering through transportation hubs, and controlling elevators and public doors.