Plastic Bags And Coronavirus

[smurfchops]

Can I re use plastic recyclable shopping bags from Ocado or are they spreading the coronavirus.... if so should I wash them first or just leave them in the garden on a windy day?? Serious answers please.

[Zacs-Master]

Spray and wipe with anti-bac spray would be my advice.

[woofgang]

I shove mine in a room I don't go into and leave them there for 72 hours then I use them for cleaning up after dogs and tortoises.

[TonyV]

I use mine without a second thought, I pack my own bags and are only used by me.

[bhg481]

TonyV - you might pack your own bags but you're putting stuff in that has been handled by other people.

[allenlondon]

Dustbin, immediately. Then wash your hands.

Why gamble?

[tiggerblue10]

Genuine question from me also - has it been confirmed through tests if the virus dies on surfaces after 72 hours?

[ichkeria]

I’m pretty sure there’s no risk from the bags as he virus can’t survive for long on surfaces. But you’d be the only person handling them anyway wouldn’t you?
Our local shop has asked people not to touch items they’re not buying: that seems more sensible

[jno]

that was my plan when I went to the supermarket this morning, ichkeria, but it was impractical - you have to haul things off the shelves to see exactly what they are (a lot of goods aren't labelled on the sides, or not the side facing outwards), or to check expiry dates.

[ichkeria]

Indeed so jno: I was doing that yesterday and wondering if I should be

[youngmafbog]

The wife wears 'johnny' gloves. She is safe so is everyone else.

I dont think anyone really knows how long or even if it can live on surfaces.

To be safe anything arriving I open outside with gloves on and bin the wrapper immediately.

[teacake44]

The best thing is to just treat everything as if it may have the bug on it. The one thing I've got out the habit of is, when I come in from shopping putting the bags on the work surface, now putting on the floor, plus hot soapy water and wipe everything you buy if possible, and always wash any fruit a bit more than normal and leave to drain. At the end of the day you can only do so much.

[Apc2604]

72 hr rule for us to. Bottom of an empty wardrobe! Paper/card in the wood burner.

[Barsel]

There must be so many things that we touch in a day not knowing whether we should or not. My shopping from Tesco came in bags and it didn't even occur to me that they could be contaminated.

[rockyracoon]

This link is quite interesting for it's info on how long they think the virus will sit on surfaces.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200317-covid-19-how-long-does-the-coronavirus-last-on-surfaces

[Peter Pedant]

yeah I was gonnasay
say loudly in the supermarket - oh let me get out my recyclable corona death bag !
and see them scatter

washing should be OK and then hanging out to dry.

non live ( = dead ) surfaces and articles are called 'fomites' and some are impt ( small pox ) and others it doesnt seem to make much difference ( flu)
most corona spread is people gobbing over each other

[Peter Pedant]

// how long they think the virus will sit on surfaces.//

can doesnt mean does

live in the laboratory doesnt mean it will do on the street

[Peter Pedant]

yeah and fink -

Bonker Bojo ( our prime minister that is!) didnt get it by popping 'rarnd the corner for orange presse for his beloved now did he ?

that wd have been some little schlop-nana straight off the plane from Somalia or Syria

( mm lovely orange presse Mohammed, the loved one calls down the stairs at no 10. The dog tries to bite the stranger. The stranger says "helwe kelb" (*)

I dont know the arabic or amharic for - get off you little bassard - we eat things like you at home)

Lots there for you to think about SMurfie

[fender62]

bucket of hot water and bleach..dip dip

[TonyV]

Yes bhg staff stocking shelves are all wearing gloves. I thought virus was airborne not attaching to surfaces?

[bhg481]

TonyV - apparently the virus can live for a considerable time on surfaces, the actual length of time depending on the surface. On top of that, the shelf stackers might use gloves but you don't know if other customers have picked-up items and put them back again. It's really very difficult to choose a line of action somewhere between careless and paranoid.