IS THIS THING AIRBORNE??

[R2221]

We’ve been going on long country side walks. A few other families/couples were there and they all were mindful of keeping distance. At no point were we within 10ft distance of others. Now I read that Coronavirus could be airborne. Wth !!

Can anyone pls tell me what you know about it? I’ve been to the supermarkets nearly every day for the last 7-10 days to get bits of my weekly shopping. I could never get everything at one place in one go. Should I prepare for getting CV then - like prepare batch meals and freeze, things like that. We’ve been isolating and massively social distancing for the last 2 weeks. Is that all futile ??

I can’t do a weekly shop because there are ZERO online delivery slots AND people have been emptying shelves nonstop in my area. A few days ago I made a nice list to stock up, ordered my shopping online as usual. I stupidly assumed my order would be delivered. Too late - my order was cancelled!

This worries the hell out of me. Although (I don't think) I'll be in the super vulnerable group, I AM in the vulnerable group. If I can't get an online order, I'll have no choice but to go to the supermarket. I really wish the less vulnerable people i.e. the majority, would stop using online orders, and stop panic buying. If not, more people will die.

@OldQueen1969 - I think you think you're trying to help.

How about helping by spreading accurate information, instead of encouraging people to spread this virus? Please try. Even if you have no vulnerable family members, remember that the rest of us do.

it doesnt float in the air for 2 minutes like your example so its not classed as airboerne the droplets need something to land on

@SarahAndQuack

Oh you have no idea about how many vulnerable people I am currently supporting - a quick search of my previous posts include a thread I started about my terminally ill vulnerable housebound mother and how she will starve without my support - where have I encouraged anyone to spread the virus? I have explicitly said to cover ALL the bases and my information was a copy and post from the NHS website. What more can people do if online deliveries are failing and they have to feed their families? Asymptomatic people are currently, until otherwise enforced to lockdown, advised to practise social distancing and minimise going out.

Of course it is airborne - just like the cold and flu viruses! This is why we need to stay a sufficient distance apart.

The wiping surfaces routine is because the airborne droplets land on surfaces, upon which we then put our hands, and then rub our eyes/noses etc. - that is how the bug gets in.

So.....either it gets in through droplets in the air emitting from someone else's mouth/cough/sneeze or it gets to us because we touch the virus that has landed on surfaces and then transfer it to our nose/eyes etc.

What has that to do with it?

You should be doubly careful not to encourage people to spread the virus if you are caring for vulnerable people.

It is really important.

You should keep up to date with the advice. You claimed earlier in this thread that it was not known how the virus spread, when people were asking whether it was airborne. But, this has been know - and publicised - for some weeks. You must keep checking the media. To do otherwise will endanger the people you care for. You cannot keep pretending you are caring for people if you are not informed of absolutely basic facts that have been in circulating for weeks. It means the difference between life and death. And no, being 'kind' will not cut it here.

And, I should say - if you are (for whatever reason) incapable of keeping up to date on advice, or if you are unable to understand the advice, then you must stay away from vulnerable people. Do not imagine that visiting them is 'helping' or 'being kind'.

In this situation, the most important thing is not to spread the virus.

Study - how long the virus lasts in air and on surfaces.

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2004973?query=featured_home&fbclid=IwAR3sbPUP-GvycLNT5XeHb3RBMneZlZ3lV18jK3KVKL6HE9592tgoOdcb8pQ

@SarahAndQuack

You seem determined to twist what I have said for whatever reason.

The fact is that airborne means different things to different people. And the NHS site says quite specifically:

Because it's a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person.

Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.

It's very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food.

Other posters have given a variety of sources that will have cleared up the Op's question hopefully, and made it clear for anyone else asking.

How long the droplets from a cough or sneeze remain in the air is a measure of how long the virus may remain airborne. It may be longer than has been estimated. Implying I'm a danger to my Mum is rather low when I have made it clear I am covering every fucking base, thank you very much.

Enjoy the rest of your evening.

But with the “2 items per person” for lots of shopping, we HAVE to go out every other day or so or else we’ll fucking starve to death.

Please don't go to the shop if you are meant to be self isolating. Ask a neighbour, contact a community group or a church, try your MP or local council. Unless your cupboards are completely bare, you will be ok eating rice and tinned tomatoes or whatever other weird combinations you can find.

I'm sorry, but airborne has a specific meaning.

You can't say you interpret it differently and therefore it won't affect you.

There is good evidence that this virus survives for up to three days on plastic surfaces. It is no joke.

I am not trying to make you feel bad. I am trying to help you keep your mother alive. If you prefer to become combative, that is your issue. But please - consider swallowing your pride and sticking to the recommendations. It is important. It could save lives. How on earth is it worth you getting the last word or the upper hand in an argument, if people dear to you end up dying?

Me and DH were talking about his earlier and he thinks it is airborne.
I believe I have CV and I've had symptoms for 10 days. If it is airborne DH should be getting it real soon …

… however I don't have a cough so he might be lucky.

Yes, it is airborne.

It is airborne. Whilst I was doing google searches trying to find the answer to this question, I came across an NHS website for professionals. On this website COVID19 was classified as a HIAD (highly infectious or high impact airborne disease, I can't remember exactly). When I went back to the website a day or so later it had been archived, taken off-line. Members of the public were obviously not supposed to look at it, someone had made a mistake making it available. Main method of transmission thought to be via large droplets (coughs and sneezes) but it also mentioned aerosolized transmission (small droplets that could be emitted by talking/breathing). However they are still not sure about the latter. They think it is spread via faeces too. Its thought to survive in the air up to three hours. That is why social distancing is so important . Just tell people the truth and they will take more care. And masks will definitely help, but they know there are not enough to go round and its more important for health staff to wear them (and there isn't enough for them!). Just social distance and practice good hygiene. It can live on surfaces up to 9 days (at least), depends on type of surface and atmospheric conditions (temperature and humidity), so either clean anything that comes into the home, or quarantine if for 9 days or so. Outer packaging can be disposed of safely and then wash your hands well.
Not to spread too much panic though - they have sampled the air from the rooms of patients with COVID19 and they were not able to find any virus in the air (but it was all over surfaces).
How can it spread just by coughs and sneezes though, it is spread whilst people are asymptomatic (i.e., not coughing and sneezing). OK we all sometimes cough and sneeze even when not ill but I don't believe this disease would spread so quick if it was just spread by coughs and sneezes.

@SarahAndQuack

I don't need your help, I am as well informed as I can be.

I am not being combative nor trying to get the upper hand.

In some instances airborne means in the air at all times, in this instance it is believed it is for a specific amount of time following a cough or through aerosol transmission via toilet flushing or during some medical procedures. That was what I was trying to get across. I never said it WASN'T airborne at all.

We have to get milk every two days and bread.
That's breakfast and lunch!

Sarah and quack your tone has been quite aggressive to op. Perhaps calm down a little and be kind.

I'm glad you are well informed.

I hope your mum continues to be well.

Please keep up to date. It really matters. If you don't understand what's meant by a term or a report, ask. People will explain.

I’ve been to the supermarkets nearly every day for the last 7-10 days to get bits of my weekly shopping

So you are super exposed then.....NOT "Isolating and massively social distancing"

Are you a SP? Otherwise why would your first thought be about batch cooking?

@Lifesavesocialdistance - I'm sorry, but as I've said, we're past the time to be 'kind', if 'kind' means 'pamper to people too selfish to take time to read readily available information'.

People need to listen to what is out there.

It is not 'kind' to pretend that no one warned us about this virus. It's been in the news. The only reason people don't know, is because they have chosen to ignore that is said.

Think about people who are vulnerable. How 'kind' is it to them to keep pandering to people who say 'ooh, I had no idea this was serious, who knew, I never realised I should wash my hands or keep my distance'? How kind to them is it to reassure people like the OP, who have apparently taken no notice of any news in the past month?

@SarahAndQuack.

Thank you for your good wishes.

I have about 50 tabs open right now and at least half are CV19 related. And google is my friend. I particularly found a Lancet article interesting with regard to oral steroid use in CV19 treatment when a friend was prescribed them after not being tested but sent into isolation. The Harvard study into how vital testing is in order to treat symptoms early enough correctly was also very informative. The Shielding Guide is permanently open. But I will keep asking questions.

of course it's airbourne

And the District Nurses visiting my Mum at home while doing their rounds to facilitate drainage are not wearing masks. Maybe that should be addressed. I visit wearing a mask.