TECH

Study shows that Coronavirus can stay up to seven days in surgical masks

Some of the safety measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus rely on the use of surgical facial masks. They help to stay safe and prevent others from becoming infected. Despite this, it is necessary to take some care with them. A new study published by The Lancet at the University of Hong Kong, reveals that the virus can remain in surgical masks for up to seven days.
This shows the importance of cleaning objects, especially those that have contact with external environments. If the masks are contaminated and the person reuses, within the period that the virus is present in the mask, this can cause them to become contaminated.
It is already known that the virus is more stable on colder surfaces. Therefore, materials that are naturally cooler, like marble for example, tend to keep contaminated for longer. The research also showed how long coronavirus has been recorded on different surfaces.

-Printing and paper: active for up to 3 hours (22C / 71.6F and 65% humidity)
-Wood and fabric: active for up to 2 days (22C / 71.6F and 65% humidity)
-Glass and tax coupons: active for up to 4 days (22C / 71.6F and 65% humidity)
-Stainless steel and plastic: active for up to 7 days (22C / 71.6F and 65% humidity)

It is known that at temperatures close to 4 ° C is where the virus has the greatest durability. This also indicates that we need to pay special attention to frozen foods, or those that stay in refrigerators, that we buy in supermarkets.
At very high temperatures, the virus does not survive. According to scientists, 5 minutes at 70 ° C is enough to inactivate it. This indicates that foods that go to fire will hardly be responsible for contaminating, but their packaging can be.
For those who are going to work outside the home daily, pay attention to the objects you take on the street, to keep them sanitized. Masks can also carry the virus with them. There are several ways to turn cloths into masks, which can be more easily washed, if possible, with hot water and soap, to ensure that the virus is inactivated.

The Lancet