ADVICE | SIMPLY TECH
HOW TO PROTECT YOU FROM YOUR PHONE – AND YOURSELF
GREG GAZIN
There’s no doubt we’re all trying to be better informed and protect ourselves and loved ones by reducing exposure to COVID-19 and its variants. We’re social distancing, wearing masks and constantly sanitizing and washing our hands. But how many of us think of our smartphone as a major threat to our health? We’re attached to them almost constantly, even more now than ever in this time of ongoing lockdowns and isolation. But these wonderous 34 Active Life | Apr. 24–Jun. 5, 2021
mobile devices have also been labelled as a petri dish carrying more germs than a toilet seat, including the dreaded COVID-19 virus. “They’re a breeding ground for germs, viruses and bacteria,” says June Lai, scientist and co-founder and CEO of Catalyst. “And since we use our devices every day, we touch them, we touch our faces, we usually don’t think about it.” Depending on the model, you may be able to “wash” your phone. Lai suggests disinfecting hard surfaces following CDC (Center for Disease Control) guidelines, such as cleaning with soap and water. She also recommends using a disinfectant of 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol or 70
per cent ethanol. “Proven to protect from 22 types of Coronaviruses.” Certain iPhone models can be submersible. However, Apple cautions about submerging your device in any cleaning agents or allowing moisture to enter any openings. Cleaning agents can also scratch surfaces, destroy valuable coatings such as the oleophobic (oil repelling) coating on an iPhone display, and seep into your phone’s ports. Even simple soap residue can ruin connectivity and reduce the lifespan of your device. Having a case on your phone, giving you wipeable surfaces is certainly one step in the right direction, but it too can be affected