Can coronavirus lodge onto your clothes when you go out?

Can coronavirus lodge onto your clothes when you go out? | Photo credit: Balkouras Nicos @ba1kouras @unsplash

Can coronavirus lodge onto your clothes when you go out? | Healthbiztips

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | health blog | covid-19

Supposed you've run out of stocks and have to head outside to buy your essentials, or you inevitably still have to report to work despite the nationwide quarantine, then you may be wondering if there is by any chance that you might end up with several of these pesky viruses sticking on your garment?

Unfortunately, it is a possibility.

At its simplest form, it goes like this. Imagine you are outside minding your own business when all of a sudden a stranger sneezes or coughs right at you. God forbid that person is infectious. But, for the purpose of this blog post, let's say that he is. At this point, you now have the virus all over you.

Study shows that the coronavirus responsible for causing coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) can survive in the air and surfaces of objects, lasting from a few hours to as long as days.

As aerosols, corornavirus can remain viable in air for up to 3 hours. Meanwhile, if these microbes rest on the surface of copper, they can last for up to 4 hours. Adding insult to the injury, hours can turn to days in certain objects like cardboard which can harbor the coronavirus for up to 24 hours. Additionally, stuff like stanless steel and plastic we commonly see all around us can carry the virus for as long as 2 to 3 days.

Now, imagine being in contact with these infected articles by simply bumping into them or purposely touching them like for example in a grocery store where an item you're holding might be the similar item an infected individual held just a couple of minutes ago. Then, your hand goes from that stuff, into your jaket or pouch to your wallet. You see how easy it is to contract this disease?

So, the mere act of going outside and being in contact with these possibly infected surfaces when social distancing is not observed or a person inadvertently touches an infectious item is alredy a risk. Meaning to say, that the virus can find itself not only on your clothes but also all over you.

To combat this, it is of utmost importance to cleanse one's hands with soap and water, or a sanitizer if clean water and soap is not readily available. Furthermore, always practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet apart. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing. Government and corporate initiative to disinfect surfaces such as side walks and walls is also important.

Refrain from touching your nose and mouth. Upon arriving home, head straight to the shower to cleanse yourself and wash your clothes before anything else. This way, you minimize the risk of spreading the germs in your home.