Infectious disease expert Olga Golubovska cautions that handling cash can lead to the transmission of various illnesses. “For an infection to spread, there needs to be enough of the pathogen present to enter the body. The primary risk arises from a failure to follow basic hygiene practices. This is particularly concerning when people touch banknotes and then bring their hands to their mouths,” she explained.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in China, cash was disinfected and quarantined, and in some regions, money from hospitals, markets, and buses was destroyed to prevent the spread of the virus.
