Is the Virus on My Clothes? My Shoes? My Hair? My Newspaper? - The New York Times |
- Is the Virus on My Clothes? My Shoes? My Hair? My Newspaper? - The New York Times
- House Shoes Are The Outdoor Shoes To Wear Inside, So You Can Style Out Isolation - esquire.com
- Are You a 'Shoes On' or a 'Shoes Off' Person? [PHIL-OSOPHY] - wbsm.com
- Best travel shoes of 2020 - The Points Guy
- No shoes in the house: Study shows coronavirus could travel on bottom of soles - WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando
| Is the Virus on My Clothes? My Shoes? My Hair? My Newspaper? - The New York Times Posted: 17 Apr 2020 08:35 AM PDT  When we asked readers to send their questions about coronavirus, a common theme emerged: Many people are fearful about tracking the virus into their homes on their clothes, their shoes, the mail and even the newspaper. We reached out to infectious disease experts, aerosol scientists and microbiologists to answer reader questions about the risks of coming into contact with the virus during essential trips outside and from deliveries. While we still need to take precautions, their answers were reassuring. Should I change my clothes and shower when I come home from the grocery store?For most of us who are practicing social distancing and making only occasional trips to the grocery store or pharmacy, experts agree that it's not necessary to change clothes or take a shower when you return home. You should, however, always wash your hands.While it's true that a sneeze or cough from an infected person can propel viral droplets and smaller particles through the air, most of them will drop to the ground. Studies show that some small viral particles could float in the air for about half an hour, but they don't swarm like gnats and are unlikely to collide with your clothes. "A droplet that is small enough to float in air for a while also is unlikely to deposit on clothing because of aerodynamics," said Linsey Marr, an aerosol scientist at Virginia Tech. "The droplets are small enough that they'll move in the air around your body and clothing." Why is it that small droplets and viral particles don't typically land on our clothing?I asked Dr. Marr to explain further, since we're all getting a mini lesson in aerodynamics. "The best way to describe it is that they follow the streamlines, or air flow, around a person, because we move relatively slowly. It's kind of like small insects and dust particles flowing in the streamlines around a car at slow speed but potentially slamming into the windshield if the car is going fast enough," said Dr. Marr. "Humans don't usually move fast enough for this to happen," Dr. Marr continued. "As we move, we push air out of the way, and most of the droplets and particles get pushed out of the way, too. Someone would have to spray large droplets through talking — a spit talker — coughing or sneezing for them to land on our clothes. The droplets have to be large enough that they don't follow the streamlines." So, if you're out shopping and somebody sneezes on you, you probably do want to go home, change and shower. But the rest of the time, take comfort that your slow-moving body is pushing air and viral particles away from your clothes, a result of simple physics. Is there a risk that the virus could be in my hair or beard?For all the reasons outlined above, you should not be worried about viral contamination of your hair or beard if you are practicing social distancing. Even if someone sneezed on the back of your head, any droplets that landed on your hair would be an unlikely source of infection. "You have to think through the process of what would have to happen for someone to become infected," said Dr. Andrew Janowski, instructor of pediatric infectious diseases at Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis Children's Hospital. "You have someone who sneezes, and they have to have X amount of virus in the sneeze. Then there has to be so many drops that land on you." "Then you have to touch that part of your hair or clothing that has those droplets, which already have a significant reduction in viral particles," Dr. Janowski said. "Then you have to touch that, and then touch whatever part of your face, to come into contact with it. When you go through the string of events that must occur, such an extended number of things have to happen just right. That makes it a very low risk." Should I worry about doing laundry and sorting clothes? Can I shake viral particles loose from my clothes and send them into the air?The answer depends on whether you're doing routine laundry or cleaning up after a sick person. Routine laundry should not cause worry. Wash it as you normally would. While some types of viruses, like the norovirus, can be tough to clean, the new coronavirus, like the flu virus, is surrounded by a fatty membrane that is vulnerable to soap. Washing your clothes in regular laundry detergent, following the fabric instructions, followed by a stint in the dryer is more than enough to remove the virus — if it was even there in the first place. "We do know that viruses can deposit on clothing (from droplets) and then be shaken loose into the air with movement, but you would need a lot of viruses for this to be a concern, far more than a typical person would encounter while going for a walk outdoors or going to a grocery store," Dr. Marr said. The exception is if you are in close contact with a sick person. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you wear gloves when cleaning up after someone who is sick, and take care not to shake laundry and bedding. Use the warmest water setting possible and dry completely. You can mix laundry from an ill person with the rest of the household load. But just leaving laundry to sit for a while also reduces risk, because the virus will dry out and decay. "We know these types of viruses tend to decay faster on fabric than on hard, solid surfaces like steel or plastic," said Dr. Marr. So how long can the virus remain viable on fabric and other surfaces?Most of what we know about how long this novel coronavirus lives on surfaces comes from an important study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in March. The study found that the virus can survive, under ideal conditions, up to three days on hard metal surfaces and plasticand up to 24 hours on cardboard. But the study did not look at fabric. Still, most virus experts believe that the cardboard research offers clues about how the virus probably behaves on fabric. The absorbent, natural fibers in the cardboard appeared to cause the virus to dry up more quickly than it does on hard surfaces. The fibers in fabric would be likely to produce a similar effect. A 2005 study of the virus that causes SARS, another form of coronavirus, provides further reassurance. In that study, researchers tested increasingly large amounts of viral samples on paper and on a cotton gown. Depending on the concentration of the virus, it took five minutes, three hours or 24 hours for it to become inactive. "Even with a relatively high virus load in the droplet, rapid loss of infectivity was observed for paper and cotton material," the researchers concluded. Should I be concerned about the mail, packages or the newspaper?The risk of getting sick from handling mail or packages is extremely low and, at this point, only theoretical. There are no documented cases of someone getting sick from opening a package or reading a newspaper. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't take precautions. After handling mail or packages or reading the newspaper, dispose of the packaging and wash your hands. If you still feel especially anxious about it, take guidance from the New England Journal study and just let mail and packages sit for 24 hours before handling them. How much should I worry about contamination if I go outside to walk the dog or exercise?Your chances of catching the virus when you go outdoors is extremely low, provided you're keeping a safe distance from others. "Outdoors is safe, and there is certainly no cloud of virus-laden droplets hanging around," said Lidia Morawska, professor and director of the International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia. "Firstly, any infectious droplets exhaled outside would be quickly diluted in outdoor air, so their concentrations would quickly become insignificant," Dr. Morawska said. "In addition, the stability of the virus outside is significantly shorter than inside. So outside is not really a problem, unless if we are in a very crowded place — which is not allowed now anyway. It is safe to go for a walk and jog and not to worry about the virus in the air, and there is no need for an immediate washing of the clothes." I've read that when I get home from a trip outside I should remove my shoes and wipe them down. Should I waste my precious disinfectant wipes on my shoes?Shoes can harbor bacteria and viruses, but that doesn't mean they are a common source of infection. A 2008 study commissioned by Rockport Shoes found a lot of gross stuff, including fecal bacteria, on the soles of our shoes. A recent study from China found that among health care workers, half had coronavirus detected on their shoes, which is not unexpected since they worked in hospitals with infected patients. So what should we do about our shoes? If your shoes are washable, you can launder them. Some readers asked about cleaning the soles of their shoes with a wipe. That is not recommended. Not only does it waste a good wipe (they are still in short supply), but it brings germs that would stay on the sole of your shoe or on the ground directly to your hands. You can try not to think about what's lurking on your shoes — or you can have a conversation with your family about becoming a shoe-free household. We covered the pros and cons of shoeless living in our article, "Should You Take Your Shoes Off at Home?" If you have a child who crawls or plays on the floor, a family member with allergies, or someone with a compromised immune system, a shoe-free home might be a good idea for general hygiene. Dr. Janowski said shoes are not a big worry for contracting coronavirus, but it might make you squeamish if you think about where your shoes have been. "If you want to talk about bacteria, we know bacteria love to live on shoes," Dr. Janowski said. "You never know what you stepped in."  |
| House Shoes Are The Outdoor Shoes To Wear Inside, So You Can Style Out Isolation - esquire.com Posted: 16 Apr 2020 11:30 PM PDT  * The process of getting dressed, until recently, was a key part of our daily routine. Now, it's something you do because to not do it would feel too much like giving in. There's no dress code for right now, though. If you rise from your slumber with the urge to work in your PJs, we won't judge you (in fact we have some options). The same applies to your three-piece suit. Personally, I mix the two. But we should all shed a tear for the shoes. Seeing as the coolest, chicest, sexiest thing to do right now is stay indoors, shoes are a little redundant. No one needs to wear their commando-sole boots, especially since they'll never show up in a Zoom call. But there is a niche group of shoes that are on the rise: outdoor shoes to wear at home. The new house shoe. What is a house shoe, I hear you ask? It is not a slipper. (Well, if you ask the dictionary it is, but the ones we're talking about aren't.) It's a shoe with a high level of comfort, perhaps open, definitely light and cooling. Easily removable, easily cleaned, it won't leave marks on carpets and furniture, but can (as a last resort) work for taking the bins out. It's a shoe that makes you feel prepped for the day ahead, a nod to getting dressed that just above fancy socks, but still fits into the casual nature of working from home. These shoes aren't what you'll wear for the first day back in the office. But until then, they sure are at home on the sofa. Still not able to envision the house shoe? Worry not, as we've hand-picked the best you can buy to get you started on your indoor style adventure. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Advertisement - Continue Reading Below  |
| Are You a 'Shoes On' or a 'Shoes Off' Person? [PHIL-OSOPHY] - wbsm.com Posted: 16 Apr 2020 01:03 PM PDT It's taboo in many cultures to wear one's shoes inside the house because of all the bacteria and viruses that are on the shoes. Then there is the shoes-on group that basically acknowledges that germs are all over your shoes, but also exist on your skin, on your clothes and cell phone – everyplace. So to them, just taking off your shoes is half-baked. Some of you reading this will insist on shoes off because research shows that germs on shoes can be a real health hazard. One study found E. coli, a source of urinary tract infections and diarrhea; pneumonia-causing Klebsiella bacteria; Serratia ficaria, which causes respiratory infections; and meningitis-causing bacteria. The shoes-off argument is a no-brainer, but I was brought up not removing my shoes in the house. I'll be honest, since I wasn't raised to remove my shoes except for muddy or snow-filled ones, I don't even think about it. Recently in Florida, while visiting our relatives, we were asked to remove our shoes at the door sock basket. I didn't mind at all. I respect their wishes. Maybe it's my laissez-faire approach that I've carried into adulthood? Since the outbreak of COVID-19 and being confined at home, I've noticed more and more articles about tracking viruses and germs into the home by not removing one's shoes. But taking everything I read into account, germs are here, there and everywhere, all around, inside and out, in every nook and cranny near and far. So I guess I have a foot in both camps. Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author. KEEP READING: These are the top 6 scams connected to the pandemic  |
| Best travel shoes of 2020 - The Points Guy Posted: 16 Apr 2020 02:35 PM PDT 
Advertiser DisclosureMany of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.  |
| Posted: 16 Apr 2020 10:04 AM PDT :strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/TPZC2APE5ND5TI3EUI5ELKF7IQ.jpg) 50% of soles of shoes from ICU medical staff tested positive for coronavirus, according to swab results A new study out of Wuhan, China found that the coronavirus is widely distributed on the floors of hospitals treating COVID-19 patients. While concentrations of the virus were highest in ICU wards, general wards (even those not treating coronavirus patients) showed positive testing results too. News 6 partner WJXT reports that researchers said compared to floor samples of other viruses, the rate of positivity for COVID-19 was relatively high. In the study, the authors theorized this is the case because of gravity and airflow causing most virus droplets to float to the ground. The study also found as medical staff walks around the ward, the virus can be tracked all over the floor, as indicated by the 100% rate of positivity from the floor in the pharmacy, where there were no patients. Half of the samples from the soles of the ICU medical staff shoes tested positive. As a result, researchers concluded the soles of medical staff shoes might function as carriers. In the study's publication in the Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, the authors highly recommended that persons disinfect shoe soles before walking out of wards containing COVID-19 patients. The study examined two hospitals in Wuhan, China from February 19 to March 2. The researchers collected samples from indoor air, floors, shoes, computer mice, trashcans, sickbed handrails, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other surfaces. Keep in mind, the study was only conducted at hospitals and not standard community environments such as grocery stores or homes, so the results are only limited to that type of setting. Although the findings of the study were posted on the CDC's site, a note at the bottom indicates that the conclusions do not necessarily reflect the agency's opinion. Though the results are limited in nature, it doesn't hurt to take precautions against whatever germs could be on the bottom of your shoes. Troy Daland, the CEO of Durisan, which makes hand sanitizer and antimicrobial soap, offered the following tips to reduce the risk of contamination: 1. Use shoes you can easily sanitize to safeguard you against the coronavirus when shopping for groceries or picking up medications. There are one-piece molded shoes from brands such as Crocs and Floafers that can be sanitized using disinfectant house cleaners. 2. As you arrive home, take your shoes off and leave them outside for the sanitization properties of the UV rays from the sun. Although UV rays are likely not strong enough to kill the virus, it does provide some property of disinfecting. 3. If shoes cannot be outside, spray your shoes with a good sanitizer or wipe them with a sanitizing wipe to eliminate microbes. 4. If your shoes are machine washable, wash with a good disinfectant soap. You can also clean them with hot water and soap if they are not machine washable. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6′s coronavirus newsletter or go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus. Copyright 2020 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved. About the Author: |
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