NHS Coronavirus information. Information from gov.uk. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have health concerns, please seek medical attention.
Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.
NHS Coronavirus information. Information from gov.uk. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have health concerns, please seek medical attention.
Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.
Covid
To think that hand washing is all very but
CreakingatTheWhinges · 03/03/2020 20:40
Unless it's followed up with robust & antibacterial cleaning of mobile phones, handsets in offices, light switches, door handles - basically anything communal or that we might put near our faces/mouths, then it's all a moot point anyway?
(This is my very 1st AIBU so hope I've done it correctly 
)
BentNeckLady · 03/03/2020 20:44
Yanbu. Door handles give me the heebies. And lift buttons, and trolly handles and and my car keys must be the filthiest things ever and my handbag strap.... and, and, and!
We’re all gonna get Coronavirus anyway imo. May as well embrace it 
CarolHasAnotherUTI · 03/03/2020 20:45
We’re all gonna get Coronavirus anyway imo. May as well embrace it
Do we all get every cold? Every flu?
constantlyseekinghappiness · 03/03/2020 20:46
I totally agree about the mobile phone. I’ve been washing my hands constantly but then almost immediately will touch my mobile
How do you clean your touch screen sufficiently ?!!
Theknacktoflying · 03/03/2020 20:47
What is an antibacterial wash going to do against a virus?
Hot water, soap, coughing in to the crook of your arm and not touching your face ...
Babytigerrr · 03/03/2020 20:47
Well... if youre washing your hands then youre only touching those things with clean hands so why would they be dirty?
I would still reccomend anti backing things like phones anyway! but then i would without the threat of coronavirus!
pelirocco123 · 03/03/2020 20:48
Personally i never put a light switch or door handle near my mouth .....but im odd like that
crazycanuck · 03/03/2020 20:49
Using antibacterial cleaners will do absolutely nothing for Covid-19. It’s a virus, antibacterial will not kill it. Something like Lysol or bleach is needed.
adaline · 03/03/2020 20:51
If you're washing your hands regularly, then it shouldn't matter what you're touching.
CreakingatTheWhinges · 03/03/2020 20:51
I agree about appropriate hand washing but communal office phones or picking up someone else's on a desk - inevitable spittle well it's just a bit tricky no matter how careful the hand washing is 🤷🏻♀️
Sparklingbrook · 03/03/2020 20:52
YANBU, however there is now a topic for all this sort of thing. 
Doggybiccys · 03/03/2020 20:52
It’s another way of putting the blame back on “us”. The government are getting in quick with their defence- globally. Nothing about how antibiotics and herbicides in rivers / farming etc are going to wipe out mankind in the name of profit. No, it’s cos we didn’t wash our hands or touched our faces!! (And before anyone reminds me that antibiotics don’t work on viruses yes I know but it is the pneumonia /bacterial lung infection that follows that kills you).
MarshaBradyo · 03/03/2020 20:55
At a museum today I touched so many communal areas - door handles etc it’s tough. I did the lift button with my elbow ;
CreakingatTheWhinges · 03/03/2020 20:55
Sorry @Sparklingbrook if I've posted in the wrong bit... novice at this.
user764329056 · 03/03/2020 20:55
One of my biggest phobias is push buttons, ie pelican crossings/ATMs, etc, just the thousands of hands ...........
MarshaBradyo · 03/03/2020 20:55
Antibacterial gel is fine if alcohol content is high enough
Elle7rose · 03/03/2020 20:56
Ideally these things would also be wiped regularly; particularly mobile phones.
If you keep your hands away from your face (eyes, mouth, nose etc.) as much as physically possible and always wash your hands before preparing food, eating, putting your hands in your mouth/brushing your teeth or rubbing your eyes etc. then you can avoid getting ill from light switches/door handles etc.
This is why hand gel is useful though- if you use sanitizer with some residual activity then it will prevent you from picking up infections from light switches, door handles and your mobile.
Justanotherlurker · 03/03/2020 20:58
Considering it is primarily an air born virus then unless you are walking round in a hasmat suit then you could still catch it.
Maybe, just maybe people could just calm down a little and this thread should be moved
Elle7rose · 03/03/2020 20:58
Doggybiccys - No it's actually viral pneuomnia, which is killing people. Unlike with flu, where bacterial pneumonia often follows the virus.
mindproject · 03/03/2020 20:59
Last time I caught flu I caught it from the lady who sits next to me at work. She came in sweating and sneezing. She then then coughed all over me without covering her mouth several times. I ended up seriously ill and had to take a long time off work (unpaid). Hand washing is a waste of time in my office. I am expecting to catch this virus in the same way.
constantlyseekinghappiness · 03/03/2020 20:59
Well... if youre washing your hands then youre only touching those things with clean hands so why would they be dirty?
Because people DONT only touch things when their hands are spotlessly clean!
Shops? Public transport? After touching anything like a light switch, lift button, communal work things like printers, etc.
If I was washing my hands every time I used the printer I wouldn’t get any bloody work done.
It’s not this simple. And surely you’re not stupid enough to think it is.
Elle7rose · 03/03/2020 20:59
Justanotherlurker- hand hygiene does still make a big difference as it's transferred through droplets and if it's anything like flu then 70% of cases are caught through contact with contaminated surfaces; not through direct cough/sneeze transmission.
Elle7rose · 03/03/2020 21:01
Also in terms of handling communal things (printers etc.) if your hands are coated in hand gel regularly then you won't spread germs from them to your mobile to your face etc.
Babytigerrr · 03/03/2020 21:04
constantly yeah... i know they dont. The point is that everyone needs to practice good hand hygiene.
Id rather "waste" time washing my hands every time i used the printer than get coronavirus tbh.
springflorals · 03/03/2020 21:07
Just be conscious of what you touch and if your hands are clean or not. I have worked in a lab so I feel like it has been ingrained to me to me so mindful of what in the lab I have touched and whether I need to sterilise my hands/equipment, making sure I carry samples with one "contaminated" gloved hand and leaving a clean hand to open doors, etc.
When I get home, I wash my hands straight away, wipe down my phone and anything I need to take out of my handbag. Everything else stays in my bag. Then I can relax in my home and not feel like I have to wash my hands after touching remotes or light switches.
When you are out, just be mindful that your hands are not clean so do not touch your face at all - do not eat, rub your eyes, rest your chin on your hand, etc. When you need to eat, wash your hands thoroughly and be mindful of what you touch between the sink and when you start to eat. To me it is all about just being mindful and having this awareness of your hands and whether they are clean or not.
P1nkHeartLovesCake · 03/03/2020 21:08
So don’t suck yourself fingers then 🤷🏻♀️ Only people I know who put hands in mouth constantly are toddlers....
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.