Covid-19, hygiene on fresh food, shoes, dogs, clothes and hair. The Istituto Superiore di Sanità responds
Do-it-yourself disinfectants, WHO's anti-Covid recipes
26 March 2020
Architectural Barrier Elimination Plan (PEBA), 34 years late in Rome. Reportage
27 March 2020
The Covid-19 pandemic has raised a series of misunderstandings about the risks of contagion and hygiene measures to be adopted. Fresh food, shoes, dogs, clothes and hair.
The Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS, intervenes to clarify. (1)
Covid-19, hygiene on fresh bread and raw vegetables
Fresh bread or raw vegetables can they become contaminated by Covid-19 and transmit the infection to consumers?
Currently there is no information on the survival of the virus on the surface of food, as they have already clarified the Ministry of Health e the European Food Safety Authority (European Food Safety Authority, EFSA).
The possibility that the virus is transmitted through fresh bread or other types of food is unlikely. The transmission of the virus in fact occurs mainly:
- through the droplets that contain respiratory secretions (droplets) or
- by physical contact among the people.
Hand hygiene however, it is essential, even when handling bread or other foods. Hands must be washed frequently and carefully, with soap and water or hydroalcoholic solution, for at least 20 seconds. (2) And most importantly, in case of coughing or sneezing, a disposable handkerchief should be used to cover the airways. And wash your hands immediately, before touching bread or other foods.
Shoe soles
The soles of the shoes can they bring the coronavirus into the home, contaminating surfaces and exposing people to the infection?
The survival time of Covid-19 in open spaces is not yet known. In theory, the contact of the soles of shoes with surfaces where an infected person has expelled respiratory secretions (eg phlegm) can transfer the virus on the soles and bring it indoors. On the other hand, the risk is negligible for adults who typically do not touch the floor with their hands before taking them to their mouth, nose or eyes.
In the presence of children on the other hand, it is useful to remain prudent, in compliance with normal hygiene rules. It is therefore advisable to remove your shoes before entering the house and frequently sanitize the floors with 0,1% chlorine-based products (diluted bleach or bleach).
dogs
Returning from a walk with the dog do I have to clean his paws outdoors?
In theory it is possible that the paws of the dog that have come into contact with respiratory secretions expelled to the ground by infected people can carry the virus. Although there is still no evidence of contagions that occurred in this way.
To wash floors with 0,1% chlorine-based solutions (common bleach or bleach), other surfaces with 0,5% chlorine-based solutions is all the more recommended. (4) In addition to frequent hand washing, to inactivate the virus. (3)
The paws of the dog they can be washed, after a walk outdoors, with soap and water (or with a hydroalcoholic solution, even simpler). Just like we do with our hands, taking care to dry them well. In any case, it is advisable to avoid that the dog gets on beds and sofas.
Covid-19, hair and clothing hygiene
You have to wash your hair and clothes worn on the way home, after going out? Does the virus survive on hair and clothing?
Respect for interpersonal distance, at least one meter from other people, is the first essential measure to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus. If the distance is always respected, according to the ISS, it is implausible that clothes or hair could be contaminated by viruses'in a significant amount'.
It is recommended in any case, on returning home, to put the clothes that have been exposed to sources of contamination (eg jacket or overcoat, hat, trousers) on hangers or hangers. Without placing them on beds, sofas, tables. Masks and respirators must be thrown away after use in closed containers or sanitized. (5)
Dario Dongo and Martina Novelli
Note
(1) National Institute of Health (ISS). Covid19: the new buffaloes, from the soles of shoes to the paws of animals. 23.3.20,
(2) Hand washing and use of gloves
(4) The solution with 0,5% active chlorine is obtained by diluting 1 unit (e.g. 50 ml) of 5% bleach with 9 units (e.g. 450 ml) of water. V. Do-it-yourself disinfectants
(5) How to sanitize masks and respirators.
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
