Is it safe to drink from a water fountain during the pandemic? But since the virus may linger on surfaces, experts say to avoid fountains if you can or to limit any direct contact when using them. In New York City, for example, posters instruct people to use gloves or a tissue to turn on water fountains. If you dont have those handy and need to touch the fountain, experts recommend you wash your hands afterward and avoid touching your face until you do. Filling a water bottle is also better than drinking directly from the fountain, says Angela Rasmussen, a virus researcher at Columbia University.