Why aren't we disinfecting our streets?

[Shrubbish]

Like in China, Iran and other countries affected by the virus

I've seen lots of footage of the streets, buildings, cars, doorways, shops, roads etc - being sprayed and disinfected

Why isn't the UK doing any of this?

I'm referring to appointed groups of workers with industrial sized equipment btw, not us general public

My guess is that it was done mostly to show "something is being done" rather than because it would make much difference to people catching the virus.

Probably because theres no point until we peak and cases start to decline.

Not sure how effective it would be to be honest ? I think probably more important to make sure supermarkets, tube trains, buses etc are disinfected thoroughly. What can be the risk of picking it up from the pavement ? As long as people take their shoes off and maybe wipe their dogs paws !

Do you regularly lick lamp-posts?

Is there any proof that it's effective? And, if so, at what environmental cost?

This was actually asked on the news the other day - the answer was an approximation of "because we don't lick roads and the other countries are doing it to be seen to be doing something"

You want to disinfect every square inch of every street and inhabited area plus every single thing humans touch? How are you going to do that? Put down the crack pipe now.

They did this in Egypt. Both the streets and the tourist sites like temples, pyramids, tombs, museums, etc... were done.

No idea about its efficacy, some of it may be to assuage their own population and foreign governments who have final say on the tourism of their citizens. As stated by PickAChew, there is also an environmental cost of this sanitising. It's possible that the chemicals they are using are against environmental law in the EU/UK. I might go see it I can find any information about it as you have me curious now.

If I find anything out I'll report back.

They’re doing it where I live. It’s 2% hypochlorite solution and I think it’s fucking nuts. I know of one family who have lost their chickens so it can’t be very good for the environment.

Because it's pointless? Also, On the continent (at least In some of the major European cities I've been to) they do it routinely. We don't seem to in the uk (I haven't seen it going on anyway) so presumably it would cost a fortune to get the necessary equipment.

The spitting culture in some countries is probably the reason behind it. That and being seen to be doing something. Plus some countries have a culture of regular street washing, like France.

Because its a waste of time. Firstly if any infected person walks down the street soon after then its a waste of time, secondly unless they flood streets with the stuff they might miss the virus, thirdly what does it achieve? Does anybody really walk down the street touching the floor and then their mouth?

Zoflora streets would be nice.

Because it's pointless.

Because it is totally pointless. People are not catching CV from the roads and pavements.

Mind you there was a thread yesterday where someone was told shoes are unneccesary and recommending barefoot running...

you've got B &M,The Range and all other non essential stores open with people traipsing in and out for a barbecue or paddling pool and you think its worth disinfecting our busy streets? what about all the people returning from the range with their paddling pools?

Actually the spitting thing is a real issue here, so there’s that.

Zoflora streets would be nice.

Spoken like a true MNetter!!

who would these 'appointed workers' be? and how much would you pay them to do this, where would the money come from?

Because despite what some of the posts I have seen on Facebook say, this government believes in listening to scientific evidence and there's no evidence it would help.

It was a genuine question. I wasn't implying we should be doing it, moreso wondering why we were not, after seeing other countries doing it there.

Put down the crack pipe now

Well aren't you a moron.

Do you regularly lick lamp-posts

No but my child who has a disability regularly has to be stopped from mouthing such things things in public, like buttons at the traffic lights and public benches when we are sat down.

Thank you for the sensible replies, it's was a to be reminded once again how sarcastic and rude some MN users are. Would you be so rude to people in the street I wonder?

Please excuse the typing errors, my baby is climbing all over me