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Information about how long the new type of coronavirus survives on different surfaces often varies greatly. One thing is certain, though. If you go outside, you can bring the coronavirus home. Therefore it is necessary to know how to behave after returning from a risky environment.
The virus can remain on clothing for up to three days
Most sources state that, for example, on glass or metal surfaces the virus survives 2-3 days, on plastic 5 days and on wood 4 days. However, our clothing is made of different materials, so there is no clear answer to how long the coronavirus will last on it. Therefore it is necessary to assume the maximum time, which in this case is about 3 days. It will probably be a significantly shorter period. But this is not the time for heroics, so it is important to know how to behave after returning from a contaminated environment.
Don’t panic unnecessarily
Before you start panicking and throwing all textiles into the washing machine for a “boiling wash”, realize that the virus is not able to penetrate human skin. It is true, however, that it can survive for some time on clothing or shoes, from where so-called secondary transmission can occur. It always depends on how porous the specific material is and how contaminated the particular piece of clothing (or pair of shoes) is.
Set aside clothing and shoes in one place and then wash your hands thoroughly.
Set up a contamination area
To minimize infection with the new type of coronavirus or transmission of the virus to other people in the household and pets, it’s good to create a so-called contamination spot at home where you take off potentially contaminated outerwear and shoes (for example the bathroom, a storage room, etc.) and leave them there until the second or possibly third day. Items you wore outside can of course be washed immediately at 60 °C, as can a fabric face mask. No traces of the virus and bacteria will remain afterwards.
Thorough hygiene and disposable gloves
Once you have put your clothing aside in a safe place, pay attention to thorough hygiene. A 20-second hand wash with soap and water, or at least treatment with a virucidal agent, should be a matter of course. If the situation allows, take a hot shower for several minutes. When going out in necessary cases, wear a face mask or respirator and ideally disposable gloves, which you should discard before coming home.
How do you perceive the situation around the new type of coronavirus? Are you panicking or are you calm? Let us know in the discussion under the article.
