Some ultraviolet (UV) disinfecting wands—pitched to kill bugs like E. coli or Salmonella on surfaces—emit unsafe levels of radiation that may injure skin or eyes in a few seconds, warns the FDA. Some wands gave off 3,000 times more UV-C than the recommended limit.

What to do

Go to the FDA’s website for a list of risky UV sanitizers. Chemical disinfectants are safer. (Also, Covid is largely transmitted via the air.)