[Jimbee (OP)]

On non-porous surfaces, do germs just eventually die of old age? Like if you take out the garbage, and touch the door knob as you come back in the house. You really don't have to sanitize the knob. Do you? You should wash your hands. But that's different isn't it?

BTW, pictured is the "close stool" of King William III. He died in 1702. Would it still have some of his germs on it?

[alancalverd]

Most bacteria, being living organisms, need water and sugar to survive and multiply. Likewise, fortunately, viruses like COVID don't survive being dried out on your doorknob. But common sense and a few lab tests explains why we don't touch anything except the patient and sterilised equipment when scrubbed and gloved.

[Bored chemist]

They don't die of old age but they might die of dehydration.
For some spores that's not going to get rid of them .
But ordinary air contains traces of free radicals and they will slowly chew away any organic stuff. Eventually that will deactivate bacteria and viruses exposed to the air.