Here's just one example of the pathetic state of the peer-reviewed journal industry in medicine.
It costs $59. to access a "review of reviews" that is concerned with the poor quality of face mask reviews that itself only scored a mediocre 7/10 for "quality".
I was taught that 80% of environmental HAIs are due to touch.
After 14 years in the field I seriously doubt that's the case.
It seems more likely that 80% of environmental HAIs are due to bioaerosols.
That's not to say that fomites don't play a role. They do. Next to the patient there is certainly oral / nasal / ocular direct transfer possibility.
But I think in lost cases fomites are more likely to be temporary landing pads.
It's very easy to re-aerosolize bacteria & virus from most surfaces with touch & air movement.
Microbes on the floor end up on overbed tables in short order. They don't walk there.
Walking across the floor liberates microbes into the air.
Thank you @jvipondmd for your impassioned presentation yesterday & the stimulating conversation at dinner. Your contribution to saving people & the planet by doing things right is inspiring.