Escalator Injuries On The Rise Due To COVID Fears

Here's another wrinkle in the COVID-19 Pandemic that no one could have seen coming: Injuries caused by escalators are on the increase around the world. And before you quickly brush off the cause and effect as nonsense, it's worth a second look.

The problem obvious on the surface but unwarranted when it comes down to science. The increase in the amount of injuries to users of escalators are the direct result of "falls....caused by people who don't hold the handrail. There is an issue with the perception that the handrail is not clean because of the pandemic".

Stop for a minute and think about the most-recent time you've used an escalator - especially if it's been since the COVID-19 Pandemic started. Did you hang on to the handrail or did you alter your routine procedure because of the fear of picking up germs?

Getty ImagesScience will tell you that the fear is unwarranted. We've learned a lot about COVID-19 over the last year and a half; catching the virus from touching a hard surface is not a high-risk practice. The FDA shares that while [w]hile it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or possibly eyes....this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads".[/caption]Additionally, even if the virus was on the surface area, it doesn't last there long. The Center for Disease Control suggest that "d]ata from surface survival studies indicate that a 99% reduction in infections SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses can be expected under typical indoor environmental conditions".

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The research data shows us that while there is a slight chance of catching the virus from touching a hard surface, it's usually transmitted in other ways. So if the question comes down to "do I hang on to the handrail to prevent myself from falling" or "do I let myself fall and hurt myself because of the risk of catching COVID-19" - like many things in life - it'll have to be your choice.

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How To Get Your Lawn Ready For Fall

You keep up with it all summer long; the watering, the seeding, fertilizing, mowing, raking - it seems like a never ending chore that's thankless at its core. Maybe that's why at the first sign of colored leaves on the trees and falling temperatures, many quickly give up the task of lawn care.

And who could blame those who abandon lawn care right after Labor Day and the start of school; cutting the grass isn't really fun to begin with and those extra steps needed to ensure a green and lush lawn (fertilizer, thatching) are just more work than many care to put in.

But totally ignoring your lawn during the fall isn't the best choice of action - especially if you want a nice looking one come spring.

Thankfully, fall lawn care isn't all that much different from what you've been doing all summer long. Here are some good tips to get your lawn ready for to hibernate during winter and press back into shape once springtime rolls around.