Covid-19 Myths and Truths. How to stay safe from Coronavirus
Should I change my clothes and shower when I come home from the grocery store?
You should not go outside too often. Keep a safe distance. Wash your hands when your return.
A sneeze or cough from an infected person can propel viral droplets through the air. Most of the droplets will fall to the ground. An expert said, “A droplet that is small enough to float in air for a while also is unlikely to deposit on clothing.”
If somebody sneezes on you, you should go home, change your clothes and take a shower.
Can the virus be in my hair or beard?
You should not worry about contamination of your hair or beard. Droplets than fall on your hair are not likely to infect you. The droplets lose their strength fast.
What happens if you touch your hair or clothing and then touch part or your face? There is little chance that this sequence would make you infected.
How about doing laundry and sorting clothes?
Routine laundry should not cause worry. The clothing of infected people should go through the warmest washer and dryer settings.
If you are in contact with a sick person, wear rubber gloves when cleaning up. Do not shake their bedding and clothing. Leaving the person’s clothing to sit for a while will reduce risk.
How long can the virus remain on fabric and other surfaces?
A study found that the virus can survive up to three days on hard metal surfaces and plastic. It can survive up to 24 hours on cardboard. Experts think that the viral survival time is less on fabric.
Should I worry about picking up the mail, packages or newspapers?
The risk of getting sick from handling mail or packages is low. But do take care. After disposing of packages, wash your hands. If you are worried, let the paper products sit unopened for 24 hours before opening them.
How much should I worry if I go outside to walk the dog or exercise?
Keeping a safe social distance from others removes most of the worry. The life of the virus in the outdoors is much shorter than it is indoors. It is safe to go for a walk and jog and not to worry about the virus in the air. There is no need wash your outdoors clothes right away.
Should remove my shoes and wipe them down?
Although a shoe-free home might be a good idea, shoes are not a common source of the infection. You do not have to clean the soles. You should clean shoes if you have a child who crawls on the floor or if there is sick or allergic person in the house.
Remember the key factors in preventing Covid-19: Maintain social distancing, wash your hands, wear a mask.
