Study: COVID Can Survive for 3 Days on Material Commonly Used for Masks

A new study warns that some varieties of masks may allow the coronavirus to lurk in hiding for up to three days. England’s De Montfort University in Leicester investigated how long the coronavirus can survive on…

IJR SyndicatedFeb 24, 20213 min read

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Laird’s research showed that not only can masks carry the virus, but there is also concern for the uniforms worn by health care workers.

“If nurses and healthcare workers take their uniforms home, they could be leaving traces of the virus on other surfaces,” she said.

The research also looked at whether washing machines eliminated the virus, and found that the virus cannot survive when the wash water is heated to at least 67 degrees Celsius, which is about 153 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale.

Laird noted her research found that current British guidelines would not eliminate transmission because they do not call for hot enough water when washing fabric.

“While we can see from the research that washing these materials at a high temperature, even in a domestic washing machine, does remove the virus, it does not eliminate the risk of the contaminated clothing leaving traces of coronavirus on other surfaces in the home or car before they are washed,” she said.

“We now know that the virus can survive for up to 72 hours on some textiles and that it can transfer to other surfaces too.”

“This research has reinforced my recommendation that all healthcare uniforms should be washed on site at hospitals or at an industrial laundry. These wash methods are regulated and nurses and healthcare workers do not have to worry about potentially taking the virus home.”

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This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.