General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIs the Virus on My Clothes? My Shoes? My Hair? My Newspaper?
We reached out to infectious disease experts, aerosol scientists and microbiologists to answer reader questions about the risks of coming into contact with the virus during essential trips outside and from deliveries. While we still need to take precautions, their answers were reassuring.Should I change my clothes and shower when I come home from the grocery store?
For most of us who are practicing social distancing and making only occasional trips to the grocery store or pharmacy, experts agree that its not necessary to change clothes or take a shower when you return home. You should, however, always wash your hands.While its true that a sneeze or cough from an infected person can propel viral droplets and smaller particles through the air, most of them will drop to the ground.
Studies show that some small viral particles could float in the air for about half an hour, but they dont swarm like gnats and are unlikely to collide with your clothes. A droplet that is small enough to float in air for a while also is unlikely to deposit on clothing because of aerodynamics, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol scientist at Virginia Tech. The droplets are small enough that theyll move in the air around your body and clothing.
Why is it that small droplets and viral particles dont typically land on our clothing?
I asked Dr. Marr to explain further, since were all getting a mini lesson in aerodynamics. The best way to describe it is that they follow the streamlines, or air flow, around a person, because we move relatively slowly. Its kind of like small insects and dust particles flowing in the streamlines around a car at slow speed but potentially slamming into the windshield if the car is going fast enough, said Dr. Marr.
Humans dont usually move fast enough for this to happen, Dr. Marr continued. As we move, we push air out of the way, and most of the droplets and particles get pushed out of the way, too. Someone would have to spray large droplets through talking a spit talker coughing or sneezing for them to land on our clothes. The droplets have to be large enough that they dont follow the streamlines.
So, if youre out shopping and somebody sneezes on you, you probably do want to go home, change and shower. But the rest of the time, take comfort that your slow-moving body is pushing air and viral particles away from your clothes, a result of simple physics.
Is there a risk that the virus could be in my hair or beard?
For all the reasons outlined above, you should not be worried about viral contamination of your hair or beard if you are practicing social distancing. Even if someone sneezed on the back of your head, any droplets that landed on your hair would be an unlikely source of infection.
You have to think through the process of what would have to happen for someone to become infected, said Dr. Andrew Janowski, instructor of pediatric infectious diseases at Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis Childrens Hospital. You have someone who sneezes, and they have to have X amount of virus in the sneeze. Then there has to be so many drops that land on you.
Then you have to touch that part of your hair or clothing that has those droplets, which already have a significant reduction in viral particles, Dr. Janowski said. Then you have to touch that, and then touch whatever part of your face, to come into contact with it. When you go through the string of events that must occur, such an extended number of things have to happen just right. That makes it a very low risk.
Should I worry about doing laundry and sorting clothes? Can I shake viral particles loose from my clothes and send them into the air?
The answer depends on whether youre doing routine laundry or cleaning up after a sick person. Routine laundry should not cause worry. Wash it as you normally would. While some types of viruses, like the norovirus, can be tough to clean, the new coronavirus, like the flu virus, is surrounded by a fatty membrane that is vulnerable to soap. Washing your clothes in regular laundry detergent, following the fabric instructions, followed by a stint in the dryer is more than enough to remove the virus if it was even there in the first place.
We do know that viruses can deposit on clothing (from droplets) and then be shaken loose into the air with movement, but you would need a lot of viruses for this to be a concern, far more than a typical person would encounter while going for a walk outdoors or going to a grocery store, Dr. Marr said.
The exception is if you are in close contact with a sick person. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you wear gloves when cleaning up after someone who is sick, and take care not to shake laundry and bedding. Use the warmest water setting possible and dry completely. You can mix laundry from an ill person with the rest of the household load. But just leaving laundry to sit for a while also reduces risk, because the virus will dry out and decay. We know these types of viruses tend to decay faster on fabric than on hard, solid surfaces like steel or plastic, said Dr. Marr.
So how long can the virus remain viable on fabric and other surfaces?
Most of what we know about how long this novel coronavirus lives on surfaces comes from an important study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in March. The study found that the virus can survive, under ideal conditions, up to three days on hard metal surfaces and plastic and up to 24 hours on cardboard.
But the study did not look at fabric. Still, most virus experts believe that the cardboard research offers clues about how the virus probably behaves on fabric. The absorbent, natural fibers in the cardboard appeared to cause the virus to dry up more quickly than it does on hard surfaces. The fibers in fabric would be likely to produce a similar effect.
A 2005 study of the virus that causes SARS, another form of coronavirus, provides further reassurance. In that study, researchers tested increasingly large amounts of viral samples on paper and on a cotton gown. Depending on the concentration of the virus, it took five minutes, three hours or 24 hours for it to become inactive. Even with a relatively high virus load in the droplet, rapid loss of infectivity was observed for paper and cotton material, the researchers concluded.
Should I be concerned about the mail, packages or the newspaper?
The risk of getting sick from handling mail or packages is extremely low and, at this point, only theoretical. There are no documented cases of someone getting sick from opening a package or reading a newspaper.
But that doesnt mean you shouldnt take precautions. After handling mail or packages or reading the newspaper, dispose of the packaging and wash your hands. If you still feel especially anxious about it, take guidance from the New England Journal study and just let mail and packages sit for 24 hours before handling them.
How much should I worry about contamination if I go outside to walk the dog or exercise?
Your chances of catching the virus when you go outdoors is extremely low, provided youre keeping a safe distance from others.
Outdoors is safe, and there is certainly no cloud of virus-laden droplets hanging around, said Lidia Morawska, professor and director of the International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.
Firstly, any infectious droplets exhaled outside would be quickly diluted in outdoor air, so their concentrations would quickly become insignificant, Dr. Morawska said. In addition, the stability of the virus outside is significantly shorter than inside. So outside is not really a problem, unless if we are in a very crowded place which is not allowed now anyway. It is safe to go for a walk and jog and not to worry about the virus in the air, and there is no need for an immediate washing of the clothes.
Ive read that when I get home from a trip outside I should remove my shoes and wipe them down. Should I waste my precious disinfectant wipes on my shoes?
Shoes can harbor bacteria and viruses, but that doesnt mean they are a common source of infection. A 2008 study commissioned by Rockport Shoes found a lot of gross stuff, including fecal bacteria, on the soles of our shoes. A recent study from China found that among health care workers, half had coronavirus detected on their shoes, which is not unexpected since they worked in hospitals with infected patients.
So what should we do about our shoes? If your shoes are washable, you can launder them. Some readers asked about cleaning the soles of their shoes with a wipe. That is not recommended. Not only does it waste a good wipe (they are still in short supply), but it brings germs that would stay on the sole of your shoe or on the ground directly to your hands.
nytimes.com/2020/04/17/well/live/coronavirus-contagion-spead-clothes-shoes-hair-newspaper-packages-mail-infectious.html
SunSeeker
(51,898 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(49,114 posts)SunSeeker
(51,898 posts)So what if it says "studies show that some small viral particles could float in the air for about half an hour"? It's all a "Democrat Hoax" anyway.
As you just told me in another thread, we'll have to agree to disagree.
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,114 posts)Yes, it sort of aerosolizes, but not aerosolized as finely as other diseases.
We knew that over a month ago. I'm glad you know it now, either way.
But you have to realize that if you post a one word post, you are going to be misunderstood despite our best efforts to respond to exactly what you have written. You have in your mind a number of concepts and concerns and ideas and information, but we can't read your mind.
If you write a single word post, you have to expect to be misunderstood. So don't do it.
There is the Land O Lakes thread where I supported you by pointing out to a poster that the fold-the-cardboard trick was more evidence it was a terrible box. You seemed to agree with me on that point.
What thread?
SunSeeker
(51,898 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(49,114 posts)What thread?
There is the Land O Lakes thread where I supported you by pointing out to a poster that the fold-the-cardboard trick was more evidence it was a terrible box. You seemed to agree with me on that point.
What thread did we "agree to disagree" on?
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,114 posts)mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)Celerity
(43,928 posts)mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)Celerity
(43,928 posts)mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)Celerity
(43,928 posts)with non fiction.
Next up is Outline by Rachel Cusk
https://www.bookdepository.com/Outline-Rachel-Cusk/9780571346769?ref=grid-view&qid=1587281967504&sr=1-1
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,114 posts)SunSeeker
(51,898 posts)I am concerned about aerosolization for good reason. This is something I have been reading about and this is yet another article that confirms it, which is troubling. But if you aren't troubled by it fine.
stopdiggin
(11,448 posts)but what the article attempts to explain (and you apparently missed, or chose to ignore) was that is does only to a partial extent .. and additionally, why the aerolsolization that does occur is probably not as dangerous and infectious as we might have been led to believe. This is good news for most of us! Sorry if that doesn't fit with a particular agenda.
-- --
SunSeeker
(51,898 posts)Here's a post I made about it on April 8. https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213256289
They suspect aerosolization is what happens when people sing. Which is why they suspect churches have proven to be such megaspreaders of Covid-19. This is yet another article that confirms aerosolization, which is concerning to me. Apparently my concern bothers you more than Covid-19 aerosolizing.
I don't have some sort of nefarious "agenda."
If you want to not worry and be happy, go for it.
stopdiggin
(11,448 posts)that this article is misinformation and erroneous in it's conclusions?
I would disagree with you on that .. but cannot do so from the point of medical expertise. I can only say that I chose to to entertain all (reasonably valid) sources. And I can find no reason to discount this one.
--- ---
SunSeeker
(51,898 posts)If I had any qualm with this article it's that it doesn't tell people to wear masks. Masks really do help.
Here's a really informative video by researchers discussing the science behind why homemade cotton mask wearing slows the spread of Covid-19:
Pepsidog
(6,254 posts)Dark n Stormy Knight
(9,785 posts)about masks and figured it was for the reason claimed here.
Good info in the video. However:
1. Did I miss the part where he clarifies that there's a big difference between T-shirts made of cotton blend fabric vs. all cotton fabric? The all cotton fabric being far less protective. I get this distinction from the charts he presents, but he talks about T-shirts as if there were just one category.
While most T-shirts nowadays are made of a blend of cotton & polyester, not 100% cotton, not all are. Also, there are almost certainly differences between the efficacy of the various blends, as well.
2. Someone should edit that down for widespread viewing. It's important info, but most people aren't going to watch anything that long & detailed. I thought of sending it to my parents, but I know they'd bail before the halfway point.
sheshe2
(84,162 posts)He told her to :
. Wear a mask.
. Wash Hands.
. Shower and wash clothes after going to the Grocery Store.
. Mail. Bring it in open then wash hands.
We mostly are doing deliveries of food. That is getting harder to do as all the slots are booked up. The kids are helping us out. They don't want us going to the store. We are in that age group and also caring for a 93 year old.
Love and hugs.
Please stay safe.
SunSeeker
(51,898 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(49,114 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(149,909 posts)This is stuff I have wondered about, and now I have reliable information.
milestogo
(16,829 posts)I actually feel better.
dalton99a
(81,742 posts)PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,938 posts)People need to get a little sensible about this.
Also, I wish someone would clarify "the virus can live up to 24 hours on cardboard" and explain just how likely we can actually get the virus from some piece of cardboard.
I also keep on thinking of how I've often read stories how when students taking micro-biology and do the lab where they go around and swab lots of random places, are then totally freaked out by how much bacteria they find everywhere.
milestogo
(16,829 posts)Bacteria are a lot less scary than viruses. But our immune systems normally do a pretty good job of protecting us.
certainot
(9,090 posts)Last edited Sat Apr 18, 2020, 04:03 PM - Edit history (2)
one of those cruise ships is concerning
there was other research showing more than a few days on plastic and metal, but there are a variety of factors besides that
we have been baking the mail and newspapers in the oven instead of waiting
there is also a question not knowing if some desperate guy coughing into his hand didnt try your car door when you were in the store etc - as long as we are careful re guidllines we have to assume others are not.
ooky
(8,944 posts)So, if you use the cardboard/fabric timeline in this article, you should be able to re-use masks with not much risk.
I have 3 masks that I have been rotating when I go out to pick up groceries or get gas. It has not been necessary to re-use any of them within 24 hours.
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,510 posts)----------------------------------------------------------
Not sure why that time is so long with masks compared to regular paper other than perhaps they use a plasticized fiber for making masks.
The data is definitely from credible sources, see references at bottom. However, without access to the Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine documents, we don't know the conditions used for their tests (viral load, temperature, humidity, etc.).
Note that several of Lancet Microbe's papers are open access during this pandemic.
See: https://www.thelancet.com/microbe
KY...........
LAS14
(13,799 posts)... the infectability of the virus goes way, way down, much, much earlier than its longest life.
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,510 posts)for truly validated research to be published with peer review, etc. We're slowly getting there.
It's good that most people are being overly cautious for now because I believe the survivability of these particles depend on many environmental parameters, so it's easy to misinterpret results (in both directions).
One of our biggest risks is with statements from professionals using phrases like "there's no evidence of" or "we thinK" or "we believe", and then people taking those as being scientifically proven fact.
KY..........
chowder66
(9,127 posts)KY_EnviroGuy
(14,510 posts)what's called agglomeration where particles of dust or virus tend to cluster within the filter matrix which makes the filter even more effective. In fact, in air pollution control systems, we actually "seed" large industrial fabric filters with dust before placing them in service to jump-start that process.
I think we still have a lot to learn about how this virus is denatured. Apparently, different materials interact in different ways with the virus' protective envelope with some damaging it while others not so much. Remember too, that many air filters are made from extremely fine synthetic (plastic) fibers. I believe 3M's mask material is proprietary.
Regardless, with adequate time the viruses become incapable of infecting cells. Soap and alcohols simply damage that envelope and render the virus neutralized.
---------------------------
Structural biology
Each SARS-CoV-2 virion is approximately 50200 nanometres in diameter. Like other coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 has four structural proteins, known as the S (spike), E (envelope), M (membrane), and N (nucleocapsid) proteins; the N protein holds the RNA genome, and the S, E, and M proteins together create the viral envelope. The spike protein, which has been imaged at the atomic level using cryogenic electron microscopy, is the protein responsible for allowing the virus to attach to and fuse with the membrane of a host cell.
Structure of a SARSr-CoV virion
Courtesy of: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severe_acute_respiratory_syndrome_coronavirus_2
KY..........
chowder66
(9,127 posts)ooky
(8,944 posts)My mask looks like paper to the eye but it could have fibers of other materials. And according to this Web MD article the virus could live on various kinds of papers from minutes to days.
https://www.webmd.com/lung/how-long-covid-19-lives-on-surfaces
I'm just going to continue assuming worst case without any kind scientific hard data. Too much at stake.
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,510 posts)Having used these masks for many years, I've personally very skeptical of some of the off-brand masks being sold both to our public and medical facilities. Many imports probably have not been properly lab tested for effectiveness and that concerns me particularly for our hospital workers where viral loading in the air may be quite high.
Best of luck and stay safe!.......
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Very helpful and informative!
yonder
(9,690 posts)cwydro
(51,308 posts)Blue_true
(31,261 posts)as much or more than the soles. Also, a short person following behind or walking into a virus cloud from a much taller person should actually get a lot of the virus into their hair, simply because the aerodynamics across the very top of the head are much different than the shockwave aerodynamics of a moving body or moving front of the head. Why would I know that? I studied Fluid and particle flow dynamics for three years while in college, having to build computer models for different types of fluid and particle flow regimes.
Politicub
(12,165 posts)I couldnt shake the idea that the virus was maybe on my hair, clothes or other exposed areas. I go out rarely since the decontamination routine is a lot of work.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)can be tracked via foot wear,and clothing into any environment. Folks who work with Poultry and Hogs know full well that disinfecting their shoes,boots and gloves as well as wearing protective outer coveralls is proper procedure in order to prevent Viral infections spreading from building to building.
Just amazed at how our Senior Centers and Nursing Homes have be decimated with this virus. Did these places completely throw away the rule book when it comes to Delivery and Service folks as well as visitors? As someone who called on these Centers in my B to B days,each and everyone that I called on would post notices if there was any type of Health related issue happening. Which would necessitate booties,mask,and Hair nets and if you had to return to your vehicle for something,well,you had to repeat the suit up procedure each and every time. And when it came to deliveries,procedures were in place to protect both the Food Prep Area as well as Coolers and Freezers as well as Residents from any possible contamination .
Igel
(35,404 posts)Between residents and between staff and resident.
One staffer will go from room to room. They'll help feed residents, handle things that the residents use on and around their faces. If there's a common area, residents will spend a lot of time in there, and staffers are often in that space, too. And it's not for one day, but many.
One person can infect a lot of residents.
If you're dealing with animals, typically the person doesn't get infected and spread it. The animals also tend to be on the floor much more than humans--if an orderly wasn't infected yet tracked the virus in on his shoes, I wouldn't be concerned. Now, if the orderly tracked it in on his shoes and routinely walked where gramps slept and on the surface that gramps ate off of, I'd be concerned.
Trace how the virus gets from the point of infection to the tissues that it needs to be on to infect a person.
Hairnets and booties wouldn't do much. Mask, perhaps. But where I've been nobody wore masks. They were less medical centers and more group homes. The residents--not patients--would be up and dressed and spend most of the day doing things in public.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)That is today's environment. Two decades or even three decades ago,there were measures in place when it came to any virus spread in a Nursing home or retirement home. Yes,there were Medical people on staff 24//7 and if someone has even a cold or otherwise,immediate measures were taken as to that person infecting the whole group.
Apparently we now have the worst procedures in place just to make a buck.
catchnrelease
(1,948 posts)The assisted living place where my mom lives had shut down the facility to any visitors way back in early March. My brother had to leave the supplies he buys for her, at the door. Inside they were taking temperatures of residents daily and supposedly using clean techniques. The residents have to stay in their rooms, and meals are in their rooms only. And they still got a case of the virus inside. What I've been told is that one of the part-time care givers, who also works at another facility, tested positive two weeks ago. She had not shown symptoms and was working at mom's place up to the time she was tested. I can't imagine how many elderly people she could have infected between the two facilities before they found out she had the virus. (I don't know if she started showing symptoms and that's why she tested or what. I assume that's the case. I also don't know what kind of procedures the staff has to go through when coming into the facility)
After she was shown positive the facility had some kind of professional cleaners come in and sanitize the whole place and are now taking resident's temps twice a day. Since the aide had been in contact with my mom the day she later tested positive we've been concerned and are hoping mom will be ok. She will be 94 next month and other than type 2 diabetes she's reasonably healthy for her age. But it's still pretty scary. I haven't had any recent updates on whether any of the residents have gotten ill, so I hope that is a good sign.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)you are a brave person to mention how this crap happens. Watched as a Service provider for several Homes during my career,and as Budgets were slashed or a Home was sold to another Group of blood suckers,staffs and procedures went out the back door with the garbage.
We are not out of the woods by know means,there will be tens of thousands of deaths in Homes and Prisons around the Country by years end.
Our Daughter was the Operations Manager of a Nursing Recovery Center in Southern Utah a few years back. Her management Company moved care givers from two other Facilities in the Same area in a effort to save a buck. When the H 1 N 1 hit,she shut the access down to anyone other than full time staff. Well,that caused the Management Firm to fire her because she refused to allow the shared staff in the door.
Hekate
(91,182 posts)JimGinPA
(14,811 posts)HarlanPepper
(2,042 posts)Were they consulted?
MyOwnPeace
(16,959 posts)I mean NO disrespect, but this part: "aerosol scientist" at Virginia Tech........
Really? An aerosol scientist? WOW!
I remember in high school going to the guidance counselor and being told I could be an architect (design a house), engineer (build roads), contractor (build houses), or teacher (live in one of those houses).
But an aerosol scientist? How do they make their money? How much work do they have? Who hires them?
And how soon will Trump fire them all because he uses roll-ons (if he even uses one......).
By the way, GREAT POST!!!!!
milestogo
(16,829 posts)Not sure what her title would be.
Somehow, I don't think high school guidance counselors get the whole list.
MyOwnPeace
(16,959 posts)"Somehow, I don't think high school guidance counselors get the whole list."
It certainly is a challenging position, especially in education where money is limited and every community has their own idea of how the money should be spent. Then there's the position itself: social worker - testing supervisor - scheduling director - discipline officer - career adviser?
Again, it all depends on how the district defines the job of "guidance counselor."
I spent 35 years in education in public schools - the stories I could tell!
But, yeah, they don't always get the whole list!
Igel
(35,404 posts)And it's been pointed out a lot in the educational literature, in the part that actually has some sanity.
When I wanted to be a chemistry major, I liked chemistry. What could I do? Technician or salesperson, I was told. If I went to grad school I could be a college professor or a researcher for a large corporation.
That's a really restricted set of career options. It was overly restricted. It left out a lot of interesting jobs and careers.
Now I teach high school science and I see the same problem. Some of my kids come in and say what they want to be--and they have really precise options in mind. How do they know? Because their parents' friends from college, from work, their colleagues' friends or wives or siblings or those of their neighbors have those jobs. Or their parents, on equal social footing because they're engineers, researchers, lawyers or other professionals, talk to their peers as they live their lives. In some cases their parents activated a whole social network to track down somebody to advise. "Hey, John, you know Mark, guy I work with sometimes at the company? Well, his wife's coworker's brother knows this guy that does exactly what you said you might want to do. Want to have lunch with him next week?"
Then I talk to low-SES kids and they love science. What do they want to be? A teacher. Or nurse. Because that's the only people they've ever met and talked to for more than a minute or two that has a science background. And their parents have no useful network. It's the counselors or tv or nobody to help them. Some wind up with really weird ideas about what a job requires or how to train for it. "You see, you get a nursing degree--any will do. You work there for a couple of years. Then you're automatically accepted to medical school and get credit for the first year because of experience. Who told me? My cousin Fred. You saying cousin Fred's a liar?" Lose/lose.
Aerosol scientist I'd venture would be a physicist who works on aerodynamics and specializes in that funny area where small particles with mass and momentum run into their life in a fluid. Things work a bit different at that scale--now it's predictably different, but it was a mystery for a while.
MyOwnPeace
(16,959 posts)It is SO tough to have to "declare a major" at 17/18 years old - and such a shame to have to do so!
What are the stats now - people will have 5 to 7 different jobs through their working years - and how many of them will be a career change?
Those who really understand know that a good, solid education will provide the foundation upon which they can build - and hopefully learn what they want to do - and have a "job" that is not just a "job" - but a career that they love.
James48
(4,450 posts)Literally hundreds and hundreds of mail handlers of the Post Office have become sick.
Dont discount mail handling so easily.
MyNameGoesHere
(7,638 posts)Or us that a guess? I mean it's just as feasible they got it at a anti-virus rally. Or from a family member? I can't prove any of that but I can toss it out there like it's the truth. Maybe it will stick.
James48
(4,450 posts)The employees at the Postal Service are getting sick; the Postal Management is not providing any personal protective equipment; they are unable to social distance when sorting mail, and a large volume of mail is still being sorted by hand.
You figure it out.
Here you go:
https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2020/03/postal-workers-increasingly-concerned-agency-isnt-protecting-them-coronavirus/164151/
MyNameGoesHere
(7,638 posts)I had already figured it out. Don't toss half truths or made up facts out like they are gospel. Knew that way before the rona or trump.
appleannie1
(5,086 posts)If there happens to be bacteria on the soles of my shoes, I am not bringing it into my house, but I am not wasting hard to find sanitizer either. I put a garbage bag on the porch and all junk mail goes in it without even being opened. If something looks important, I have a bottle of water and bleach and a rag and wipe the envelope before bringing it into the house. I have done that even before a couple postal workers at the sorting house were infected. My neighbors laugh at me. You have heard of the last laugh.
DFW
(54,592 posts)Such as: mail from the IRS isn't necessarily unhealthy, but could, in some cases, be very harmful.
appleannie1
(5,086 posts)and haven't since before the state was shut down. The people that work there leave their shoes there and wear different one shoes home. Today is Mike's 55 birthday. We are having a virtual party for him through social media and a worker is showing him all his birthday wishes and gifs. So far, because of the precautions they are taking, the over 400 individuals that live there are safe. Sometimes common sense is better than all the CDC guidelines.
Ferrets are Cool
(21,126 posts)have delivered. We are wiping them down with disinfectant OR spraying them, then washing our hands very thoroughly.
This is so difficult for a paranoid person.
misanthrope
(7,438 posts)between bacteria and viruses and how they proliferate. Americans' overall lack of general science knowledge -- the natural byproduct of a culture that disdains intellectual curiosity for any purpose other than monetization -- is in vivid illustration these days.
This virus is little more than RNA sheathed in some fat. It has to be inside your body to reproduce. It doesn't crawl or migrate or spread on its own. It doesn't even remain viable for long unless its under the right conditions and even then it isn't as long as many fear.
This doesn't mean I am discounting the danger of the virus. Just that the proper knowledge can help people cope with its danger in the proper context and keep us from adding unnecessary bars to a prison of fear.
RobinA
(9,928 posts)for the vast majority, if not all, of people, contact with one virus particle is not going to make them sick.
And this is why health care workers have so much more risk than the average person, even if they are wearing PPE. Their environment has lots of virus particles and it is impossible to keep it virus-free.
Silver Gaia
(4,553 posts)in a high risk category. No matter what they say, for that reason, I am disinfecting everything that comes into this house, and I am taking extra precautions if I have to go out in public myself (which has been rare).
This information is reassuring in a sense, but a lot is speculation based on one study or studies of similar viruses. I'm not taking any chances with the life of a loved one. I'm fine with taking the extra effort to do all I can to be as safe as possible.
P.S. - I don't think this makes me paranoid, just cautious.
Botany
(70,700 posts)n/t
LAS14
(13,799 posts)bronxiteforever
(9,287 posts)Kick in to the DU tip jar?
This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.
As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.