Potential Gifts Prone to Carrying COVID-19
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, health experts have issued new recommendations for handling toys, gifts, and New Year's trinkets. According to Olga Nenashtina, an epidemiologist, these items could potentially carry the dangerous SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The virus, which causes COVID-19, can survive on surfaces for varying lengths of time depending on the material. Studies show the virus can live from 24 hours up to three days on surfaces under laboratory conditions, with the longest survival on hard surfaces. On cardboard, which is similar to packaging materials for toys, gifts, and New Year's trinkets, the virus survives for about 24 hours and becomes progressively less infectious over time[1].
In real-world conditions, environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and exposure to sunlight reduce the virus's viability further. Warm, humid weather tends to allow the virus to survive longer on surfaces such as toys, but generally, the risk of transmission through touching contaminated objects is considered low[1][5].
To minimize the risk, it is advised to take certain precautions when shopping for and receiving these items. When choosing gifts in shopping centres, it is recommended to wear masks and disposable gloves, as suggested by Nenashtina. Upon arrival home, Vladislav Zhemchugov, a doctor of medical sciences, recommends treating purchased items with a disinfectant. However, Zhemchugov does not specify the type of disinfectant to use or the duration for which gifts should be treated.
In terms of cleaning, it is advisable to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water, following Zhemchugov's suggestion. For toys and trinkets, especially those handled by children, clean them regularly with soap and water or a suitable disinfectant. However, the new recommendation does not specify the type of gifts or items that should be treated with disinfectant.
To further reduce the risk of transmission, consider wiping down hard surfaces and packaging with disinfectant wipes, especially if the items are to be handled by children or vulnerable individuals. If possible, leave packages or gifts untouched for 24 hours or more to allow any potential virus to degrade naturally.
It is essential to maintain general public health measures like mask-wearing and physical distancing in stores to reduce exposure. Handling gifts and trinkets with clean hands is also crucial.
The CDC also supports that surface transmission is not the primary way the virus spreads, focusing more on airborne exposure. Therefore, while it is important to follow these new recommendations, it is equally important to remember that the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 from toys, gifts, or New Year's trinkets is very low if these precautions are followed[1][5].
In conclusion, while the risk of contracting COVID-19 from toys, gifts, or New Year's trinkets is low, it is still advisable to follow these precautions to further reduce the risk. Handle gifts and trinkets with clean hands, disinfect surfaces if concerned, and allow some time to pass after unboxing if possible, but do not be overly worried about virus transmission through these items[1].
References: [1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). How COVID-19 Spreads. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/how-covid-19-spreads.html [5] World Health Organization. (2020). Q&A on coronaviruses (COVID-19). [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
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