SARS-CoV-2 survives only 4hrs on copper. Why not change handles?

Question

There's a ton of research that copper (and brass and bronze) fittings kill bacteria and viruses. Why aren't hospitals, public buildings, grocery stores, etc all installing copper or brass or bronze surfaces everywhere?Yes I know it would cost a lot of money, but so is the economy grinding to a halt. That's definitely not free.https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.09.20033217v2.full.pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimicrobial_properties_of_copperhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/9762689/Fit-brass-fixtures-to-cut-superbugs-say-scientists.html

notahacker · Accepted Answer

It's not an alternative to the economy grinding to a halt, because microbes (including COVID-19) transmit efficiently through other means, as well as from touching copper surfaces that have had microbes deposited on them within a few minutes as opposed to several hours (which is most handles and many surfaces in most busy public places). Still a worthwhile consideration, but handwashing instructions guidelines are probably more useful than assuming the slow-acting antimicrobial properties of certain surfaces will relieve us of the need.

zeved · Answer

unfortunately copper readily oxidizes in atmosphere to form carbonates (green), by touching would form sulfides (black). in general copper compounds can leach through the skin and are toxic (although in large amounts) to humans too, not just to bacteria and other microbes. brass however might be safer for long term touch. i actually saw quite a few brass handles in old buildings' doors in europe

muzani · Answer

It seems to be more economical and safer to just put everyone in a bio suit and disinfect everything, which they do even in lesser clinics here. They're reusable in future pandemics too. COVID-19 is not the worst case.