Forum Topic

Catching the virus outdoors

Interesting article in The Times today explaining that we should not be afraid of catching the virus outdoors from joggers and passers by. This is highly unlikely joggers running together though are at more risk. Also more risk from touching surfaces like buttons on pedestrian crossings, door handles , children’s playgrounds (can’t believe how full these currently are) .  Also handling items in supermarkets and trolleys etc.  Keep washing those hands and wearing those masks. Stay safe.

Alina Dansord ● 2110d9 Comments

Very interesting. I use gloves myself, the white ones dont show. Noticed a few people with them. When I went to a hospital recently I was told to remove them and sanitise my hands not the gloves. Always something new.

Nicholas Beard ● 2110d

The Times hides behind a paywall, but I suspect the BBC is saying much the same here.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-55680305

Ken Munn ● 2110d

I was told off when attending a hospital for wearing gloves. Apparently better to have bare hands and to wash them. Less risk.

Fiona Bell ● 2110d

Thanks Ken. All seems like basic common sense but glad to be reminded that joggers running in a line behind each other for any length of time are particularly at risk.

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 2110d

Interesting, but of course, whenever you read “highly unlikely” it’s still possible, so I’d still avoid joggers personally. We wash down all our items from our supermarket shop when we get home, also carrier bags.  I don’t know anyone else who does but it’s become a habit for us now. Cardboard boxes are a bit tricky 😂👍

Maggie Dodge ● 2109d

Been washing items since first lockdown. Highly unlikely as you say still possible. The world health organisation tweeted on 14/1/20 no evidence of human to human transmission. A few weeks later ? Well we now know.

Nicholas Beard ● 2109d

There was a report quite early on on how long the virus lived on various different surfaces.  It has meant that we wipe everything down after shopping and leave a lot of post for a day or two before touching or spray it first.We also avoid touching the buttons on crossings or handles with our hands (and try not to touch our faces with our hands).  I remember being surprised that the virus lasted so much longer on plastic which is so often used to protect everything and make it easy and quick to grab purchases in a shop - the closed environment you want to get out of asap.  We take our own handgel.Outside they say you are much less likely to catch it but that doesn't mean that you don't and since it is spread as droplets in the air it is obvious that we need to stay clear of each other.  Keep your distance!

Philippa Bond ● 2109d

" and since it is spread as droplets in the air it is obvious that we need to stay clear of each other. "Precisely! Strange that so many people just don't get it.

Steve Taylor ● 2109d

Apparently, looking at a picture of the virus or thinking about it could tempt providence. Best thing to do if you find you inadvertently saw a virus picture or thought about or heard someone else talking about it is to strip bare and sanitise yourself all over - then do a clockwise cartwheel toward the East, eat 3 cloves of garlic while incanting variously between chewings "I Won't Catch Covid (chew, chew, chew) I Won't Catch Covid (chew, chew) I Won't Catch Covid". The author J. K. Rowling, by all accounts, swears by it as a protection against Covid such that the vaccine is not needed :-)

Bobbie Carnegie ● 2109d