Black Light Experiment Shows How Easily Virus Spreads at Restaurant

A black light experiment depicted in a viral video from Japan‘s NHK public broadcasting organization shows just how widely and quickly germs can spread, particularly during the COVID-19 era.

The video marks a collaboration between NHK and regional health experts and shows 10 people, one of whom represents an “infected” individual, entering a buffet-style restaurant. None of the depicted people behave as if they are infected, meaning the possibility for contamination of any kind is not considered.

Thus, as the black light method makes clear, germs spread everywhere from food to faces.

In comments to CNN, John Nicholls, a Hong Kong University clinical pathology professor, explained how effective the viral video can be in getting people to understand the continued importance of washing one’s hands and maintaining other hygiene practices. Nicholls and others have cautioned, however, that viewers recognize the artificiality of the depicted scenario due to “so much emphasis” being placed solely on touching.

“What the video demonstrated is that it will spread to surfaces and to people very efficiently, and I think it really highlights the need of what people have been saying about hand hygiene to stop the spread of disease,” Nicholls said.

The Trump administration was reported earlier this month to have apparently shelved some CDC guidelines for safer reopening methods, with restaurants among the places of business mentioned in the 17-page document. Among other things, the CDC had advised that sneeze guards be widely implemented in eating establishments. Furthermore, the agency called for buffets to be avoided altogether.