Probably during this time many of us have done online shopping or ordered more food at home, and since we cannot go to the physical stores or restaurants to take our order, the only solution is to have the package delivered by courier.
But what happens to all the packaging in which the products we order during this period are placed? Should we disinfect each one as we do with different surfaces or with food? In this regard, the Center for Disease Prevention and Control has an answer for us. It states that there is a very low risk that the new coronavirus will spread in packages that have been shipped over several days.
At the same time, the World Health Organization also found that it is highly unlikely that a package will be contaminated after being exposed to different conditions, and therefore the risk of a person becoming infected with coronavirus after it has reached its packaging iis low.
But what happens to packages that arrive on the same day the order is placed, such as those from the services that deliver food? According to the Food and Drug Administration, there is so far no evidence that the virus would be transmitted through food or packaging.
Also, the World Health Organization says that the risk of food contamination up to the shelves of stores is quite low.
Several weeks ago, studies by specialists found that the new coronavirus can withstand plastic and steel for up to 72 hours, on paper and glass between 4 and 5 days, on wood 4 days, and on cardboard up to 24 hours.
However, it does not hurt to take some precautionary measures. One of the tips often given is to pay attention to hygiene, and in this sense we must wash our hands at least 20 seconds after touching the different packages. When we come in contact with a courier who delivers these packages to us at home, it is advisable to wear a mask, but also protective gloves.
Belgian Llama’s immune system could be the key to treatment for the new coronavirus. Belgian researchers have found that her body can produce antibodies that could stop COVID-19. Scientists have already continued research into the fight against SARS and MERS, when US scientists discovered that the animal has developed immunity to both types of coronavirus.
He is four years old, lives on a farm in Belgium, has brown chocolate fur and could be the key to an effective drug for Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus. Researchers have recently discovered that antibodies in her blood can stop the virus. Other tests are now being done to see if they can be used in the future to help people with coronavirus.
Belgian Llama already contributed to research in the fight against coronavirus in 2016. At that time, scientists at the University of Ghent, the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, USA) and the National Institutes of Health in America examined two previous forms of the agent. pathogen - SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV. They found that llama’s blood developed antibodies in a type of immunization therapy that successfully fought both forms.
The human body can produce only one type of antibody, while the blades produce two types. These antibodies are similar, but one of the types of antibodies produced by the slides are several times smaller.
"Llama’s antibodies are easy to handle," said Dr. Xavier Saelens, a molecular virology specialist at the University of Ghent.
How to do it right and which solution is better to use.
We know a lot of dirty places in the house that we carefully clean. But often we forget about the most important thing - the refrigerator.
Viruses feel great at low temperatures. Studies of persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents have shown that various types of coronaviruses can live in the refrigerator for up to 9 days. Coronavirus is assumed to be no less tenacious.
As a preventive measure, you need to wash the refrigerator at least once a month. Now is the time to do it. You will need:
- Cleaning agent. Household cleaning solutions are also quite effective, if exposed to the surface for at least 1 minute. In extreme cases, you can wash the shelves of the refrigerator with soap or wipe with ethyl alcohol.
- Sponge.
- Cloth or paper towels.
When everything is ready, proceed.
- Unplug the refrigerator and remove all products.
- Throw away all spoiled foods - they are an ideal habitat for harmful microbes.
- Remove all shelves and remove drawers and wash them in hot soapy water as you wash dishes. You can do this in the kitchen sink, if it is too small - in the bath.
- Likewise, thoroughly wash all dishes from the refrigerator in hot water, especially one that contains something stale.
- Use the cleaning agent to clean the refrigerator itself - the inner walls, the racks for the shelves, the door handle. Act, moving from top to bottom, so that the mud does not run down to already cleared places.
- Wipe the refrigerator with paper or cloth towels, then put the racks, shelves and drawers back.
- Return the products back with a thorough inspection to see if they are all fresh. Banks, bottles, containers and bags can be pre-wiped with an alcohol raster.
Repeat this procedure regularly every 30 days, and you can reduce the risk of catching the infection through food.
Such protective equipment can make you dangerous to others.
Sometimes protective fabric masks are equipped with a special valve. In this case, the mask works like this - you inhale air through filters and exhale it through a one-way valve. Thus, warm air comes out from under the mask faster, it becomes easier to breathe, the mask is easier to wear, and glasses will not fog up.
We put on masks for two reasons. Firstly, we hope that they will protect us from COVID-19 (however, disputes are still underway regarding the effectiveness of masks). Secondly, more importantly, the mask does not allow us to infect others, if we are sick and do not suspect it.
The valve allows free passage of air as it exhales. This means that an infected person will spread particles of the virus around him as if he weren’t wearing any protection at all.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend using masks and respirators with valves to prevent infection with this disease.
Such protection can be worn in conditions of smog, dust and smoke - for example, at a construction site or factory where harmful particles are floating in the air. But the mask with the valve will not stop the spread of the virus.
According to WHO, traditional folk or home remedies can help to improve well-being and alleviate the symptoms of COVID-19, but there are still no drugs that can prevent or treat this disease. Despite this, people, not understanding the seriousness of the situation, sometimes try to protect themselves with the help of extremely dubious substances. For example, in India they try to defend themselves by consuming cow urine and using sprays based on it.
People are trying to sell amulets against coronavirus, medicinal tinctures or even honey with protection against all ailments, including COVID-19. Fortunately, most often, such offers are quickly deleted by Internet sites, so as not to mislead users. Only obvious jokes remain on the web. Here are some fun examples from Twitter.
Everyone is protecting themselves
Being sexy during pandemic is important
Shut out Virus!
Only beer 👍🏻
Garlic protection
Assuring social distance
Safety at the highest level
Spiderman shopping around
Dino near us
Cheap way to protect yourself
Inventive people all around
The Spaniards were frightened and returned to harsh measures. Spain decided on Wednesday (May 6th) to extend the state of emergency for another two weeks. That was after it was given free to walks and physical activities.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on the parliament, which approved the measure, after easing the restrictions, bringing the number of cases of illness to 3,121 on May 6. This is after, after the end of April and the beginning of May, they had stabilized at 850 -1,200 new cases per day.
Spain has registered 256,855 cases of COVID-19 disease and over 26,000 deaths. The Sanchez government wants to gradually lift the measures of isolation at home and at the same time control the implementation of measures of social distancing and hygiene among the population.
Home isolation was imposed on March 14 and the state of emergency was due to end on Saturday, May 9, but will be extended until May 24. Although the opposition claimed that 60 days of state of emergency were illegal, it had to vote on the law for national security.