Fresh food contamination?

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/coronavirus-how-long-can-covid19-survive-in-your-freezer/news-story/3e5454044ee1b696b4d98568400e6746

Scientists are racing to discover the survival rate of the deadly coronavirus on surfaces, food and even fridges.

While some experts say that COVID-19 could last up to two years at below freezing temperatures, Australia’s deputy chief medical officer has raised the issue and revealed we still know very little.

Speaking during a live QandA session on ABC Radio on Sunday night, Professor Michael Kidd admitted that whether the virus could survive in the freezer and if so for long, was something he “had to look up”.

A number of theories exist in the scientific community, including the fact that research into similar strains has shown that the virus is stable, if not thrives, in freezing temperatures.

According to the Washington, D.C. based non-profit, Federation of American Scientists, researchers also believe lower temperatures and lower humidity help viruses survive longer. They suspect that the virus would certainly survive being frozen.

“Coronaviruses are, by their nature, ‘sticky’ viruses,” Dr. Warner Greene, a leading virologist and research scientist with the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco, told NBC News.

“They can survive for a surprising period of time on surfaces, although they are rapidly dying on these surfaces

The New Jersey Department of Health explains a 2010 study “used two viruses that are related to the COVID-19 virus to look at the effects of temperature and humidity on viral survival.

The researcher found that both lower temperatures, at approximately 4C, and lower humidity rate (20 per cent) helped the viruses survive longer.

“More than two thirds of the viruses survived for 28 days. On the other end of the spectrum, at 40C and 80 per cent humidity, the viruses survived for less than 6 hours.”

But according to Dr. Mohamad Mooty, Department Chair, Infectious Diseases at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi: “They have been shown to survive for up

While some experts say that COVID-19 could last up to two years at below freezing temperatures, Australia’s deputy chief medical officer has raised the issue and revealed we still know very little.

A number of theories exist in the scientific community, including the fact that research into similar strains has shown that the virus is stable, if not thrives, in freezing temperatures.

“Coronaviruses are, by their nature, ‘sticky’ viruses,” Dr. Warner Greene, a leading virologist and research scientist with the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco, told NBC News.

“They can survive for a surprising period of time on surfaces, although they are rapidly dying on these surfaces.”

“It’s really important again with the hand hygiene so when you take food out of the freezer and you open a box and discard it in the rubbish and you put the food in the oven or whatever you’re doing with it, that you go and wash your hands again.”

There has been no evidence so far of people contracting the virus via their grocery shopping.

Professor Kidd also gave a stark warning over your shoes.

“One of the other things I’ve picked up over the last week is the importance of actually washing your hands after you take off your shoes because we found the virus can be, if somebody coughs and the virus is on the floor, that it may actually be picked up on the soles of your shoes.

“This is one of the thing we learned through SARS as well, so when you get home and you take off your shoes, wash your hands.”

The New Jersey Department of Health explains a 2010 study “used two viruses that are related to the COVID-19 virus to look at the effects of temperature and humidity on viral survival.

The researcher found that both lower temperatures, at approximately 4C, and lower humidity rate (20 per cent) helped the viruses survive longer.

“More than two thirds of the viruses survived for 28 days. On the other end of the spectrum, at 40C and 80 per cent humidity, the viruses survived for less than 6 hours.”

But according to Dr. Mohamad Mooty, Department Chair, Infectious Diseases at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi: “They have been shown to survive for up to two years at -20C.”

Professor Kidd reiterated the research but confirmed we still don’t know enough about the virus.

“There has been research on other coronavirus’, particularly the SARS virus, which has found the virus can actually stay active even when it’s frozen for some time.

“Now, whether that piece of scientific fact is actually relevant in the real world, and particularly for those of us who are putting food into our freezers at home, is not yet known.”

Professor Kidd said the research “reinforces the really important issue around shopping”.

“When people are going out shopping, they’re making sure when we get home they are washing our produce, which may have been touched by other people then put back.

“They’re also giving a wipe down to the containers that are containing the food or other items they’re buying before they pop them into the cupboard or put them in the freezer.

to two years at -20C.”

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pheasant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: May 20 2006 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 9851	Post Options Post Reply Quote pheasant Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Fresh food contamination? Posted: April 09 2020 at 1:56am
	Just as the title says: Do we know how well Covid19 hitchhikes? Can the virus remain alive after being frozen, or chilled with fresh meat? I realize after cooking the meat would be fine, but for handling.
	The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself......FDR

Hazelpad Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Adviser Group Joined: September 09 2014 Status: Offline Points: 6910	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hazelpad Report Post Thanks(2) Quote Reply Posted: April 09 2020 at 3:37am
	I think a lot of viruses and bacteria can survive freezing. Cant see data on this coronavirus, but dont think it would be different. This is how they store viruses and transport them between research facilities. I used to take HSV1 out of freezer stocks, and infect cell cultures just fine. An everyday example is influenza. They think influenza viruses survive in frozen lakes over winter and in high summer during thawing they can reinfect birds living on and using the lakes That's one of the worries about melting icecaps and permafrost, what microbes and viruses lie dormant within.. Many viruses can survive on dry surfaces and the time frames have been studied. So when viruses bind to surfaces they themselves dry out. They can be reactivated when moist again, say for example if you wipe dry virus particles on your eyes or nose. Have included link. 2 things about this study, 1) Covid19 easily killed by a full list of disinfectants, and is susceptible (unlike some) to alcohol over 60%. 2) Detectibility does not always mean infectibility. They dont know exactly how much people get infected by fomites (hand rails, etc), they just know how long they can retrieve viable virus. References Can flu viruses survive winter in frozen lakes? \| New Scientist https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn10676-can-flu-viruses-survive-winter-in-frozen-lakes Covid-19: How long does the coronavirus last on surfaces? - BBC Future https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200317-covid-19-how-long-does-the-coronavirus-last-on-surfaces

pheasant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: May 20 2006 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 9851	Post Options Post Reply Quote pheasant Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: April 09 2020 at 3:43am
	Thank you, I have still been getting fresh meat (when available) for pickup, and began thinking about the above.....now that butchers/ processors have been getting infected, anything fresh could be a problem, unless were really careful.
	The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself......FDR

mwbab Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List V.I.P. Member Joined: February 15 2012 Status: Offline Points: 480	Post Options Post Reply Quote mwbab Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 23 2020 at 6:38am
	https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/coronavirus-how-long-can-covid19-survive-in-your-freezer/news-story/3e5454044ee1b696b4d98568400e6746 Scientists are racing to discover the survival rate of the deadly coronavirus on surfaces, food and even fridges. While some experts say that COVID-19 could last up to two years at below freezing temperatures, Australia’s deputy chief medical officer has raised the issue and revealed we still know very little. Speaking during a live QandA session on ABC Radio on Sunday night, Professor Michael Kidd admitted that whether the virus could survive in the freezer and if so for long, was something he “had to look up”. RELATED: Follow the latest coronavirus updates A number of theories exist in the scientific community, including the fact that research into similar strains has shown that the virus is stable, if not thrives, in freezing temperatures. According to the Washington, D.C. based non-profit, Federation of American Scientists, researchers also believe lower temperatures and lower humidity help viruses survive longer. They suspect that the virus would certainly survive being frozen. “Coronaviruses are, by their nature, ‘sticky’ viruses,” Dr. Warner Greene, a leading virologist and research scientist with the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco, told NBC News. “They can survive for a surprising period of time on surfaces, although they are rapidly dying on these surfaces The New Jersey Department of Health explains a 2010 study “used two viruses that are related to the COVID-19 virus to look at the effects of temperature and humidity on viral survival. The researcher found that both lower temperatures, at approximately 4C, and lower humidity rate (20 per cent) helped the viruses survive longer. “More than two thirds of the viruses survived for 28 days. On the other end of the spectrum, at 40C and 80 per cent humidity, the viruses survived for less than 6 hours.” But according to Dr. Mohamad Mooty, Department Chair, Infectious Diseases at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi: “They have been shown to survive for up While some experts say that COVID-19 could last up to two years at below freezing temperatures, Australia’s deputy chief medical officer has raised the issue and revealed we still know very little. Speaking during a live QandA session on ABC Radio on Sunday night, Professor Michael Kidd admitted that whether the virus could survive in the freezer and if so for long, was something he “had to look up”. RELATED: Follow the latest coronavirus updates A number of theories exist in the scientific community, including the fact that research into similar strains has shown that the virus is stable, if not thrives, in freezing temperatures. According to the Washington, D.C. based non-profit, Federation of American Scientists, researchers also believe lower temperatures and lower humidity help viruses survive longer. They suspect that the virus would certainly survive being frozen. “Coronaviruses are, by their nature, ‘sticky’ viruses,” Dr. Warner Greene, a leading virologist and research scientist with the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco, told NBC News. “They can survive for a surprising period of time on surfaces, although they are rapidly dying on these surfaces.” “It’s really important again with the hand hygiene so when you take food out of the freezer and you open a box and discard it in the rubbish and you put the food in the oven or whatever you’re doing with it, that you go and wash your hands again.” There has been no evidence so far of people contracting the virus via their grocery shopping. Professor Kidd also gave a stark warning over your shoes. “One of the other things I’ve picked up over the last week is the importance of actually washing your hands after you take off your shoes because we found the virus can be, if somebody coughs and the virus is on the floor, that it may actually be picked up on the soles of your shoes. “This is one of the thing we learned through SARS as well, so when you get home and you take off your shoes, wash your hands.” The New Jersey Department of Health explains a 2010 study “used two viruses that are related to the COVID-19 virus to look at the effects of temperature and humidity on viral survival. The researcher found that both lower temperatures, at approximately 4C, and lower humidity rate (20 per cent) helped the viruses survive longer. “More than two thirds of the viruses survived for 28 days. On the other end of the spectrum, at 40C and 80 per cent humidity, the viruses survived for less than 6 hours.” But according to Dr. Mohamad Mooty, Department Chair, Infectious Diseases at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi: “They have been shown to survive for up to two years at -20C.” Professor Kidd reiterated the research but confirmed we still don’t know enough about the virus. “There has been research on other coronavirus’, particularly the SARS virus, which has found the virus can actually stay active even when it’s frozen for some time. “Now, whether that piece of scientific fact is actually relevant in the real world, and particularly for those of us who are putting food into our freezers at home, is not yet known.” Professor Kidd said the research “reinforces the really important issue around shopping”. “When people are going out shopping, they’re making sure when we get home they are washing our produce, which may have been touched by other people then put back. “They’re also giving a wipe down to the containers that are containing the food or other items they’re buying before they pop them into the cupboard or put them in the freezer. to two years at -20C.”