According to a new study, simply sharing dishes or cups with someone can triple your likelihood of catching COVID.
While the initial goal of the research was to find the early effectiveness of wearing a face mask and hand-washing in stopping the spread of the disease,
Specifically, people who shared dishes or cups were 2.71 times more likely to contract COVID than those who kept their food and beverage to themselves.
The study's authors also point out that transmission of the virus within households was relatively high compared to workplaces and other settings.
They warned that when caring for an infected family member, "the sick person should stay in a specific room;
use a separate bathroom, if possible; and not share dishes, cups, and other utensils."
The idea of service industry workers even handling a cup that has been used has also led many businesses to temporarily switch to disposable options.
This includes Starbucks, which banned the use of personal reusable mugs in March.
But while you should be worried about who else has had their hands on your cups, plates, and utensils, the CDC says that the likelihood of prepared food spreading COVID is still very low.