Hygiene theatre: how excessive cleaning gives us a false sense of security

Covid-19 is a mainly airborne disease. So does our endless disinfecting and hand sanitising serve any purpose - or could it be worse than useless?

Claudia, a 26-year-old beauty worker, dreads it when her clients ask to go to the toilet. It's a whole other thing to clean," she says. They could have touched anything in there. I have to wipe down the whole thing with antibacterial spray and wipes."

It is her job to maintain stringent cleaning protocols at the London skincare clinic where she works. When clients arrive for their appointments, Claudia checks them in, offers them a drink - the clinic only uses disposable cups or plastic water bottles - and takes them through to the treatment room.