Fomites and dogs

[GindependantWoman]

Last night DP, DD and I went for our unlimited exercise and sat on the grass in a park.

A man with a very small puppy off the lead and mostly uncontrolled was walking around the lark and while DP and DD went to the shop I watched this man tAlk to two people separately who stroked this pup. I was unimpressed as I don't think you should be touching other people's anything at this point in time. He's a grown man and shouldn't be letting people stroke his dog, in my opinion.

When DD and DP we're back he was coming back the other way. I told DD not to touch the dog. I didn't tell DP because he is also a bloody full grown man but obviously he couldn't help himself as we love dogs and this was obviously an especially nice pupper. So then DD strokes the dog because how can she not when her dad has. The man stands with us for a good ten minutes and it starts chewing the blue roll with disinfectant on from Tesco so I have to take that off it. In short we all touched this bloody dog that at least two separate households had touched and I spent all night panicking we could have caught the dreaded lurgy. Ffs.

I'm annoyed at DP, myself and this man who doesn't control his bloody dog.

Is it an actual concern as I've read both that it is and it isn't.

[Flymetothetoon]

What's a Fomite?

[GabriellaMontez]

Personally I wouldnt worry. Theyve just been in a shop after all.

What I would do is reinforce the regular handwashing message and remind them not to touch their faces.

[dementedpixie]

Dont touch your face and always wash your hands then. You dont get it through your skin, it needs to get to mouth, nose or eyes first. Maybe carry hand sanitiser when outside

[picklemewalnuts]

Just wash your hands when you get home.

It's a teeny risk compared with going in a shop (confined space with other people/where other people have been, the staff for a significant length of time) and touching things in the shop.

[Obviouspretzel]

Why don't you just Google what a fomite is?

I would have been a bit irritated to be honest OP, but the risk will be tiny.

[Eeples]

You don't seem concerned about your your husband and daughter going to the shop. Were they buying food or drink to have in the park? They wouldn't have been able to wash their hands first and could potentially be moving hands from packets to mouths. Possibly more risky than touching a dog.

[GindependantWoman]

@Eeples I am. I didn't want Dd going into the shop at all. She has avoided it so far but insisted and I'm trying to be more realistic and less anxious. It's one of those things where one parent insists it's fine and the other says absolutely not. They have a hand sanitiser outside the Tesco which they will have used on the way out so risk is reduced there.

I know this is a silly worry and I am being over the top but makes me so anxious. I also feel I'm not being over the top and should have just asked the man to keep walking.

[Lumene]

I would be annoyed too OP, but wouldn’t worry now it’s happened.

Wish dog owners would keep them on a lead or at least under control.

[Keepdistance]

I dont think children should be going in shops. Or any extra people dont forget in large shops the 'pick' the products for elderly and shielded deliveries.

If dd is say going back to school i wouldnt worry too much about the dog? But maybe more that you might be giving it to the man and other children

[GindependantWoman]

@Lumene that's another thing. The dog we have, who was at home due to the heat is one of those judges dog breeds so when I do everything to ensure he is under control, on a lead, not eating other dogs or children and then someone comes along with their family breed and doesn't seem to be paying much attention it also gets to me.

@Keepdistance I haven't seen anyone picking stuff for those who are at risk. Where do you live? You're right we could be spreading, however DD and DP rarely leave the house and the one time they did they went in a shop and sanitised. I normally shop and thoroughly wash my hands when I'm back. I don't know yet if she will be going to school. She isn't yr1 or 6 and I'm overly anxious about it.

[Flymetothetoon]

Still no wiser what a 'fomite' is.
Typo? If so I can't work out what it should have been 🤷‍♀️

[dementedpixie]

No it's not a typo

[dementedpixie]

Although the fomite would be the dogs fur not the viral particles

[dementedpixie]

Fomite

A fomite is an inanimate object contaminated with infectious material which may transmit disease, such as improperly sanitized medical equipment.

[Peggysgettingcrazy]

I love how you added 'unlimited' exercise into the op, just to make sure we knew you were allowed to be out and not flouting rules.

But then sent your child into a shop. Where they were more at risk than from stroking a dog. If you wash/sanitise your hands and dont touch your face you will be fine. Thats assuming you actually came in contact with the virus. The chances of that are tiny.

Especially, since most transition is in hospital. Not in the community.

[Floatyboat]

Yes it's a small but unnecessary risk. I mean if people choose to stroke it that's different from dogs that jump on other people.

[Zaphodsotherhead]

I'm pretty sure that children should wash their hands after touching animals anyway, shouldn't they? CV-19 notwithstanding, animals can be grubby wee things.

[OneNewName]

A puppy is going to be 'out of control', it's a puppy.

[Branster]

Yes viruses (and germs in general) can end up on the dog’s fur from it being touched, sneezed on or even if someone infected shouts above it.
However , it is believed the fur itself is not a hospitable environment for this particular coronavirus so if a virus ends up On the dog’s fur, it would become inactive sooner than if it were to end up on a door handle.
There has been no evidence, no proof that dogs can transmit the virus in this or any other way yet.
It is likely that their collar, harness or lead would stay contaminated for longer than the fur.
So washing hands after touching these is good practice.
You need to consider that well socialised dogs are better behaved so the puppy would benefit from seeing, meeting and interacting with lots of people.
It is also beneficial for children to interact with animals, especially now when they can’t touch many people, no hugs etc.
As with all outings, it is good practice to carry a hand gel and use it frequently. Touch gate at the park then clean hands. Touch a dog then clean hands and so on.
Never, ever touch your face (not easy to follow but doable with a conscious effort) until you get home and clean hands properly.
Follow the basic rules and then you’ll be covered.

All in all I would say it was nice your DD had the chance to interact with a cute puppy, it probably made her really happy.
Once you know the likelihood of the risk and follow all precautions then you’d be better equipped to deal with a similar incident in the future.