We have to filter through the fog as so much misinformation is put out to market to sell chemicals, disinfectants, and masks. Plus, there is an overwhelming flood of advice on dealing with the novel coronavirus. As contractors and educators, let’s be honest. This virus is an enveloped respiratory virus. Many people will call for disinfection for internal PR reasons and as a precaution. People are scared. Unlike non-enveloped viruses, enveloped viruses (unless they are highly infectious with a high fatality rate like Ebola) are a low-level environmental risk. As the WHO declares a global health emergency, American companies have to be diligent on OSHA training requirements for technicians responding to such an emergency. For those of us in the United States, have a look at the definitions in the HAZWOPER and Bloodborne Pathogen standard that apply to biological response. You may have exposure here.
This virus seems to be spreading quickly and environmental risks are mainly focused on high traffic touch points. These viruses are spread by close contact with body fluids, sneezing, or intimate contact/touching your soft tissues with dirty hands. The main issue is that as soon as you are done disinfecting surfaces, an asymptomatic person shedding the virus can recontaminate those touch points; this is why quarantine is set up during such events. The enveloped virus does not generally survive very long without a host. If you quarantine to limit its ability to host, you gain control and community immunity is built. You just hope people do build immunity or a vaccine becomes available.