How Long the COVID-19 Virus Lasts on Surfaces: New Research on SARS-CoV-2 “Survivability”.

[2greys]

Researchers at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, can survive for up to 28 days on common surfaces including banknotes, glass — such as that found on mobile phone screens — and stainless steel.

The research, undertaken at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) in Geelong, found that SARS-CoV-2:

Survived longer at lower temperatures, tended to survive longer on non-porous or smooth surfaces such as glass, stainless steel and vinyl, compared to porous complex surfaces such as cotton, survived longer on paper banknotes than plastic banknotes.

scitechdaily.com/how-long-t...

Virology Journal. Research paper:

virologyj.biomedcentral.com...

[HungryHufflepuff]

That's rather worrying. I didn't know a virus can live that long on a surface. Hence the importance of hand washing.

[2greys in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Also why I do not go out. I certainly do not want add to the risk of contaminating the flat for Sharon to pick up and take into the nursing home. I know that she has a risk of doing that, but that is no excuse for me to add to it.

[Hidden in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Keep things warm to lessen the chance.

[2greys in reply to Hidden]

Not during the summer months, but I do tend to keep the flat on the cool side, I find it so much easier to breathe. Sharon will put on a cardigan if she feels cold, personally I no longer feel the cold, I used to feel it when I weighed in at 50 Kgs but managed to put on some more after quitting smoking, possibly with the help of steroids, I now weigh 70 Kgs. a BMI of 24 instead of the underweight 17.5 that used to be my normal for 50 odd years. 16/18°C is now my comfort zone with wearing just a T shirt.

[deni-123red_]

That is indeed worrisome especially with banknotes which change hands numerous times. I usually use a debit card to pay for stuff but I guess they get contaminated too. I’m already quite obsessive about germs but now this ... Eek!

[2greys in reply to deni-123red_]

Not posted to worry anyone, but better to know about now things are getting worse. A contactless card would be better, covering it with a piece of disposable tissue will not affect it from working.

[deni-123red_ in reply to 2greys]

I appreciate the advice truly and using a clean tissue to cover a card really is a good idea too. Thanks

[SquirrelsHolt]

Morning 2greys and I'm becoming less and less confident in venturing outside, into the big wide world 🌍 . I'm not sure what action to take after reading your post. I did think previously that it probably was wishfull thinking, that COVID-19 on hard surfaces, bank notes etc etc would be gone after a number of hours but nothing like your link proves. We are in dires straights and need to have the real, correct information told to us without all the fancy wrapping, ribbons and bows 🎁. Today we're blessed by Boris telling us another splurge of information which will be ambiguous and for each one of us, to decipher through all the "spin" and draw our own conclusions. ☹️☹️☹️. 🐿🌈

[2greys in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

Something is enabling the spread, but restrictions, in some areas, on mixing with other people has been reimposed, apparently with no effect, the infection rate continues to climb. Perhaps it could be airiolisation that is the cause along with the lack of ventilation. Nobody has proved conclusively what it is causing it. To my mind the politicians and their advisors are floundering around in the dark somewhat.

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to 2greys]

I'm in total agreement with you 2greys and quite honestly I was talking to my son and explaining how you and Sharon have been through it all, come through it and have got ready for another COVID-19 lockdown.(obviously no names and he isn't on the forum). I was amazed how he was interested as iI read out some of your posts. I've not been able to engage him fully before, so whatever works with him understanding the gravity of this pandemic, is worthy of a 🌟gold star. He is 25 and a wonderful son, putting up living with me lol. I sincerely hope I've not offended you in any way and you are totally anonymous to him.

Talking of temperature's:- I've now become a pain in the rear end as ideally I'd have our thermostat at 17 maybe 18°and I'm sitting, like you in a t-shirt and still blooming hot. Not fair on anyone else. They are left teeth a chattering, knees knocking and bottom lips quivering 😂😂!! 🐿🌈

[2greys in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

I have no objections at all to anything I post. It is a public forum after all and I NEVER make my posts private, as I am all too aware that there are probably more 'flies on the wall' than active members, I was a 'fly on the wall' myself for 6 months before actually joining, so I know how important it is that information needs to be shared in the public eye.

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to 2greys]

Thank you for that reassurance as I didn't give it a 2nd thought until now and was hoping you'd not be upset. 👍 🐿🌈

[Hidden]

oh dear....

[Jaybird19]

oh dear, I cannot cope with 28 days quarantine. I rely on paying cash for help and already one person has given up because I couldnt do bank transfer. She didnt want cash. bank has sent me money more money and got plastic notes.

Not going out past end of drive so food is delivered by sainsburys and gets wiped over with soapy sponge and left to dry in quarantine on garage floor. I did ruin the mushrooms when I got too enthusiastic . I was told years ago at time of the plague the ships to venice had to wait 40 days to unload ---- hence quarantine. Now that would be a problem.

[2greys in reply to Jaybird19]

Australian polymer banknotes were first developed by the Reserve Bank of Australia so of similar construct, they will sustain being washed with soap okay. I do not advise using any heat at all.

[Jaybird19 in reply to 2greys]

No , not heat I tried heat once in March and tne metal piece in the note shrank and the note wrinkled up ! Soap is best for most things.

This report was interesting that the temperature was included and made a difference.

We do know this virus mutates and there are other variants circulating . There has been other work into the survival rates of th e virus oñ different substances with different results to this. So do you think that the survival rate can be different for different mutants. ?.

And are the variants specific to different temperature zones. ?

[2greys in reply to Jaybird19]

Sorry I cannot answer that, off the cuff. But if I do come across such research I will post it.

[Badbessie]

The important thing to remember is that the virus was treated like a mushroom and kept in the dark. Lab conditions are very different to those normal people live in . Very interesting to read but personally I will not any concerns.

[2greys in reply to Badbessie]

Ahh, but I keep my mobile phone inside a book like case, the glass screen would be in the dark most of the time, having said that it is only myself that uses it and would not dream of letting someone else use it even if I went out.

[Izb1]

Good to know 2greys, I do wipe everything down with bleach water when I have been out but didnt think about bank notes, I will now include those or use an antibacterial wipe, we have to be so careful in these unpleasant times, thanks for the update x

[2greys in reply to Izb1]

Thinking about it, bank notes are kept in the dark as well, purse, wallet. or even a pocket (less so now, because the slippery devils can work their way out of a pocket).