The U.S. and world are at a turning point, as COVID-19 cases continue to increase and some governments have offered nonsensical and dangerous responses to the pandemic (e.g., reopening businesses too soon, politicizing public health measures like wearing a mask). There is a risk that this same disregard for science will dissuade action on the public health and environmental impacts of single-use plastics. Recent research shows that COVID-19 lives the longest on plastic and stainless steel surfaces. With so much disposable plastic being doled out in retail and food businesses nationwide, the argument from industry lobbyists that single-use is safer just doesn’t hold up.

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