CAREFUL WHAT YOU TOUCH

A new study has indicated how long the COVID-19 remains active circulating in the air and on surfaces.  Take time to read this and be wise with what you touch. 

Your best defence

• ·        If you are unwell or in a high-risk group, stay home. 
• ·        If you go out, be careful what you touch (see below).
• ·        Wash your hands correctly, every chance you get with soap and water for at least long enough to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice (to yourself, of course).
• ·        Avoid using an air-hand-dryer (and try to be out of a restroom if someone is using one to dry their hands).
• ·        Resist touching your face, rubbing your eyes or touching your lips!

This Virus Lives Too Long

This virus seems to have a long life and someone who is infected may spread the disease without feeling sick for, what is thought to be at least 14 days before symptoms appear. 

When someone who is infected with COVID-19, for example, coughs or sneezes openly or into the air or into their hand, droplets carrying the virus will begin to circulate in the air (up to two meters). 

NOTE:  Best way to thwart a surprise sneeze or cough is to always have a fresh tissue or paper towel with you and if you don’t sneeze or cough into your elbow.  Be sure to cover your mouth carefully.  With a tissue or paper towel, fold it so the potentially contaminated surface is inside and throw it in a waste bin.

If the person tries to use their hand to ‘catch’ the cough or sneeze, anything they touch afterwards (until they properly wash their hands), can infect others. 

Common Ways It Spreads

Here are common ways the virus can pose an invisible threat to others from circulating in the area or lurking on surfaces:

• ·        After an open, careless cough or sneeze
• ·        From someone touching surfaces with ‘dirty’ hands
• ·        From being in a space where someone is using an air-hand-dryer
• ·        When someone flushes the toilet, the virus circulates in those droplets that are splashed up

Longevity of COVID-19 in the Air / on Surfaces

Research, published in the ‘medRxiv’ depository has now conformed length of time the virus can live outside a person and infect others:

• Circulating in the air for up to three hours
• On surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel for up to three days.

The length of life differs with what the virus lands on, such as:

• ·        Coper surfaces - up to four hours
• ·        Cardboard  - up to 24 hours
• ·        Stainless steel and plastic  - between two to three days

Another study published in February estimated that if COVID-19 behaves in a similar way as other coronaviruses (such as SARS or MERS), it could live on metal, glass and plastic surfaces for up to nine days

NOTE:  To compare this to the common, seasonal flu, the flu virus can live on surfaces for only about 48 hours.