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babylonsister

(170,963 posts)
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:14 PM Apr 2020

Does Coronavirus Live on Surfaces -- and What's the Risk of Infection?

Health
Does Coronavirus Live on Surfaces — and What’s the Risk of Infection?
Some experts say measures such as sanitizing your groceries are overkill. Just make sure to wash your hands instead.
By Kate Golembiewski
April 1, 2020 12:57 PM


snip//

One of the more alarming points raised in the video is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report showing that traces of the virus remained on surfaces on the Diamond Princess cruise ship for up to 17 days. But Schaffner says that’s not as worrisome as it seems. While the researchers did indeed find viral RNA aboard the ship, they didn’t detect any full, functioning viruses themselves.

A virus like the novel coronavirus is basically a tiny capsule of protein filled with genetic material. Its whole job is to inject that genetic material, or RNA, into host cells and commandeer them so those host cells create more of the virus. Without those protein capsules, the viral RNA can’t do anything. So, finding viral RNA doesn’t mean the virus still poses an active threat any more than discarded bullet shells mean there’s a shooter present — all they tell you is that, at some point in the past, a gun was fired.

And while scientists are still learning how long the virus can remain dangerous on different surfaces, some say disinfecting everything you come across is overkill. They argue that you could achieve the same results by simply washing your hands.

“The virus is not going to jump from a package to something. It needs to get transferred, and the most likely way that the virus would have to get transferred is through hands,” says Ben Chapman, a food safety expert and professor at North Carolina State University who co-hosts a podcast with Schaffner. “And so instead of trying to eradicate it off the package, I focus on the hands.”


more...

https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/does-coronavirus-live-on-surfaces-and-whats-the-risk-of-infection?fbclid=IwAR1CwNpn9giLn3HmbxvRmtWZz85XWdyYz3wGSu3mY-fMvQK7IdSftWO_HyQ
12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Does Coronavirus Live on Surfaces -- and What's the Risk of Infection? (Original Post) babylonsister Apr 2020 OP
I'm not taking chances! SheltieLover Apr 2020 #1
I guess I don't understand SlogginThroughIt Apr 2020 #2
I focus on the hands with groceries and babylonsister Apr 2020 #4
Yeah I suppose it is comforting SlogginThroughIt Apr 2020 #8
We're careful, very careful. babylonsister Apr 2020 #9
It's a cost. Igel Apr 2020 #10
I don't know. I think for things you handle over and over, like bottles of milk BusyBeingBest Apr 2020 #3
especially refrigerated items...I babylonsister Apr 2020 #5
I don't know if that's a thing, actually, I'm just assuming BusyBeingBest Apr 2020 #6
I find myself getting increasingly paranoid with time intrepidity Apr 2020 #7
Here are some profession resources for you. KY_EnviroGuy Apr 2020 #11
Dare I suggest that people are freaking out over nothing? PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2020 #12

babylonsister

(170,963 posts)
4. I focus on the hands with groceries and
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:23 PM
Apr 2020

haven't been wiping everything I bought down. I'm happy to read this.

 

SlogginThroughIt

(1,977 posts)
8. Yeah I suppose it is comforting
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:27 PM
Apr 2020

I suppose it is comforting to hear that we don’t have to be super analytical about every square millimeter of surfaces. I just think it probably is still a best practice to do as good a job as you can.

babylonsister

(170,963 posts)
9. We're careful, very careful.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:36 PM
Apr 2020

I went out today with my honey but never got out of the truck. That was my weekly trip.

He uses gloves/mask, shops early, etc.

I am now an agoraphobic. I guess most of us are.

Igel

(35,197 posts)
10. It's a cost.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:58 PM
Apr 2020

You worry about a cardboard box, you take precautions to disinfect it. Just pick it up, do whatever, and then wash your hands.

It's not even clear if the amount of virus on a surface has ever infected anybody. While better safe than sorry is a good maxim, it drives some people crazy. I'm not a big fan of the "precautionary princple"--partially because it's applied hypocritically, partially because it assumes any risk is huge and any benefit has to not be worth that huge risk.

BusyBeingBest

(8,049 posts)
3. I don't know. I think for things you handle over and over, like bottles of milk
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:20 PM
Apr 2020

or coffee creamer, bottles of laundry detergent, etc. I would go ahead and disinfect that. You might not remember to wash your hands every time you grab that object, and if the virus is viable for 2-4 days on plastics and glass (especially refrigerated items) you could potentially rub your eyes or nose and infect yourself. It's not likely to happen, but it only takes a few minutes to wash item with soap or use a wipe.

BusyBeingBest

(8,049 posts)
6. I don't know if that's a thing, actually, I'm just assuming
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:27 PM
Apr 2020

that keeping a surface cool and moist would also preserve the virus particles too.

intrepidity

(7,241 posts)
7. I find myself getting increasingly paranoid with time
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:27 PM
Apr 2020

I'll probably be a full-blown germaphobe by the time this is all over

I just returned from the grocery store. Was debating whether to wipe everything down. Decided against, but I did manage to conjure up an image of the stocking clerk having virus-laden hands, gripping the milk carton... I figure I'll wipe the handle down when I use it first. Just gonna let it sit in the fridge for now.

This shit can make you crazy!

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,483 posts)
11. Here are some profession resources for you.
Wed Apr 8, 2020, 12:25 AM
Apr 2020

Some of what we have to fear right now is fear itself. Those "traces" found on the cruise ship were denatured reminants of old virus which were of no danger - sort of like the empty shell casing of a bullet.

From John Hopkins:

According to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can live in the air and on surfaces between several hours and several days. The study found that the virus is viable for up to 72 hours on plastics, 48 hours on stainless steel, 24 hours on cardboard, and 4 hours on copper. It is also detectable in the air for three hours.


[i]Here are some profession resources for you to review and bookmark:

From John Hopkins Medicine:

COVID-19 Basics - Frequently Asked Questions
Johns Hopkins experts answer your most frequently asked questions about coronavirus.


Link: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/covid-19-basics/faq

Specifically, see:

How long can the virus that causes COVID-19 live on surfaces?
Carolyn Machamer, a cell biologist who specializes in coronaviruses, discusses the latest research on the virus that causes COVID-19


Link: https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/03/20/sars-cov-2-survive-on-surfaces/


From Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health:

Food safety, nutrition, and wellness during COVID-19 - GREAT RESOURCE!

Link: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/2020/03/25/food-safety-nutrition-and-wellness-during-covid-19/




From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

How to Protect Yourself & Others

Link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprepare%2Fprevention.html

And a special section Clean and disinfect:

Cleaning and Disinfection for Households
Interim Recommendations for U.S. Households with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)


Link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html


From the World Health Organization (WHO):

Link: https://www.who.int/

Specifically, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public

Link: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

This WHO site is a great resource and even included downloadable posters for home and workplace.


---------------------------

If those don't answer your questions, there's plenty more sites from all around the globe.

KY.............

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,750 posts)
12. Dare I suggest that people are freaking out over nothing?
Wed Apr 8, 2020, 02:38 AM
Apr 2020

Well, they are. Just because the RNA of this virus can be detected on a surface does not mean it can actually infect someone. The biggest risk is that asymptomatic carriers are out there and breathing or coughing on you.

Reread the OP. It's enlightening.

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