Cold virus

[ArcheryDoesIt]

I've been shielding and not been into a shop, public indoor place, public transport or met another person except my DH (also shielding) and my new baby since Feb. I am fastidious about hand washing and hand gel and do it every time I go for a walk outside. On my walks I keep a proper distance and wear a mask with an n95 filter. Surprised that I have nevertheless caught my usual winter cold, and am feeling absolutely rotten with it. Out of interest does anyone with medical knowledge understand how I've managed to catch a cold given the extent of my actions above?

No idea, OP and I agree. How?
DH has a cold - over the last week we've been to a supermarket (really early when it's almost empty) and that's all. He doesn't get within 2m of anyone - I deal with the payment - he wears a mask and gloves and washes his hands when we get in.

He has heart issues so we are being careful.

No idea how he could catch a cold...but if he can, why would the measures we've taken prevent us from catching Covid?

You can significantly reduce your likelihood of exposure to viruses and bacteria but you can never entirely eliminate it. You just have to touch something without thinking and then rub your eye or nose (mucus membrane.) If you’ve been holing yourself away and being incredibly cautious you’ll have weakened your immune system and so it can no longer put up a decent response - so ironically it would actually take a milder than usual exposure to make you ill.

why would the measures we've taken prevent us from catching Covid?

Because they don't prevent - they minimise risk. A cold virus (and there are different ones - including another coronavirus) can live on surfaces for up to 24 hours, but can "infect" in minutes. There is no action that can absolutely rule out getting a cold, flu or Covid, short of moving to an environment that viruses cannot live in. The bad news is that if you do that then you won't be able to live there either!

It’s more scientific and complex than that, and there’s also evidence which suggests lack of UVB exposure from outdoors and altering our cycadian rhythms by being indoors too much weakens the immune system. Bottom line though, however careful you are you can’t entirely eliminate exposure to any virus.

I have a cold. I’m assuming it’s from the children and spread from school.