[reformedliberal]

This may be a silly question, so please bear with me:

I understand that SARS can be carried on fomites (non-living objects) and can survive for an hour or more (can't recall the time limit) outside the body. So, if people are using their wallets to depress buttons, are the wallets then in need of disinfection? What disposal procedures are in place for the doorknob covers and the tissues?

[Judith Anne]

Good questions bump.

[wretchard]

I don't live in HK, so I can't answer the question from experience. I suppose a disposable receptacle is provided. My understanding, from published articles, is that the SARS virus lives about an hour on surfaces exposed to the air. Presumably, this would mean that doorknob covers self-sterilize and can be safely handled at the end of the day.

With respect to wallets, keys, etc which are used to push buttons, the idea, apparently is that if you wash your hands before touching your face or eating, then the danger is lessened, even if you've handled your wallet. The wallet, too, presumably self-decontaminates if you leave it on your desk to air for a bit. Who knows. The medical profession hasn't totally identified all the vectors, but apparently cleanliness, handwashing and measures which prevent the spread of saliva droplets (the actual function of the mask is to prevent spreading your own droplets) are somewhat effective.