Shoes would probably be a “hard surface” where a virus lasts longer. Also - those studies were based on the “typical” flu. (It may have been H1N1?) And iirc that flu virus would be viable up to 24 hours on a hard surface.
This Wuhan virus they say might last 5 days or longer on a hard surface - so perhaps you need to go several hours outside? And it would need to be dry.
Of course if it is real bad, you would limit your trips outside. Perhaps keep a pair of boots, coveralls, etc. outside to just put on when you leave. And just treat them as contaminated. Put your gloves, mask and goggles on first. Or - have a bucket of bleach water to toss the coveralls in and another to clean your boots off with. After the coveralls have soaked for 10 mins, put them in a plastic bag, dump in the washing machine, and take the bag outside again?
The virus can get into sores and cuts in the skin, but otherwise, the “typical” flu virus only lasts 5 to 10 minutes(?) on the skin due to enzymes that destroy the outer shell. (Shell isn’t the right term, I forget what it is.)
I don’t know. I used to work at hazardous waste sites. It takes a lot of effort to make sure you’re not taking anything nasty out of the site. Lots of disposables. Which is okay when the client is getting charged for everything.
Not so easy when it is just your family, and you only have a few boxes of N95 masks and a few Tyvek suits at $20 a piece.
thanks, 21. I have a old pair of muck boots I could use as outdoor shoes and keep outside the mud room. They’re old friends to bleach. Maybe plastic rain booties to go over regular shoes? I wonder if those paperfabric overalls like for painting would be good enough with clothes underneath? Sure looks like the washing machine is going to get a good workout now that I’ll be washing my pillowcase 2x a week. And clothes and dog beds and everything else that will fit in there! Not that I’m overly concerned but I am in SoCal and a bit more at risk than say someone living in rural South Dakota :)