Covid 19 and the Fly

[leon]

Hi Guys, we all know how to address this Covid19 Virus, washing hands, keeping our distance and trying to stay home if possible.:thumbsup:

Just out of interest this little bug is easily transferred from one to another, so could a fly for example land on someone with Covid19 and then land on some one else and spread it. :shrug: or some other insect maybe.

Just asking.:question:

Leon:thumbsup:

[billdan]

Unlikely I would think, as the virus is inside an infected persons lung.

I suppose if an infected person spat on a fly and that fly landed on someone else's hand, the virus could then get inside the body if he touched his mouth or nose etc.

[FlashDrive]

We're doomed .....:face:
:lol:

[leon]

Bill the virus maybe inside the lung, but it has to come from outside the lung to be able to get into the lung in the first place.

It is not transmitted from lung to lung, but can be transferred from a persons touch, for example, then it enters the lung.

So Louie the fly might land on the body of a heavily infected person and carry it to someone else. :shrug: just saying. :rolleyes:

Leon :thumbsup:

[leon]

Ah, Col, I think we might have to lock you up soon. :lol:

Leon :thumbsup:

[Outcast]

Leon,

It's transferred via droplets.. ie: Infected person coughs or sneezes on or near you or, coughs or sneezes into their hand then touches you & then you touch your nose, mouth or eyes with that body part. You cannot get infected simply by someone with it touching you.. the only way Louie the fly will be capable of transferring it to you is for it to land in the droplets coughed up by an infected person & then landing on you, transferring a droplet which is then subsequently transferred by you to your eyes, mouth or nose.. this applies to catching it in any way.. the virus on a surface came from someone coughing/sneezing/spitting either into their hands then transferring it to the surface or the above directly onto the surface... then you coming into contact with it & tranferring it to your mouth, nose or eyes...

This is why we have social distancing at 1.5m.. basically, the droplets from someones cough/sneeze will fall before they reach you at that range. This is why we are emphasising hand hygiene so much... good ol soap & hot water will kill the virus, in the absence of soap & hot water, alcohol (at least 65% proof) based hand sanitiser will do the trick. This is why health officials are advocating cleaning with commercial grade disinfectant or bleach products for surfaces, again it will kill the virus if done properly.

Also, whilst not publicised quite as much, health experts are advocating that you should minimise (or completely avoid) touching your face as it is the eyes, nose & mouth & only those points that are the entry point for the virus.. avoiding touching your face isa actually harder to do than you might think...

So, whilst your scenario of Louie the fly passing on the virus to you is not entirely impossible, the amount of 'what ifs' that would have to line up within a timeframe of about 15 minutes, one would venture the likelihood is pretty minimal to negligible...

Note, these are not my own thoughts on transmission, the information on how the virus is transmitted is freely available on the AU Govt Covid19 website & numerous legitimate medical websites that discuss precisely how the virus is transmitted from one human to another.

Cheers

[Zuts]

Careful m8 or there will be a toilet paper scale run on mortein :lol:

[DarkArts]

Be afraid, be very afraid. (https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1416/8662/products/fly_original_film_art_17fa186d-17bb-4f02-81b8-5357475ddcf7_spo_2000x.jpg?v=156253 9463)

[SimmoW]

Oi, you stole my theory from weeks ago!

My sinister mind was working overdrive early on, wondering if such prevalent germ spreaders might cause even more rapid spread. Would make a great movie plot twist!

Hmm, I wonder if mozzies are another super spreader??

[doug mc]

Everyone buy shares in insect spray manufacturers.... Now.

[leon]

I was just saying, that's all, :question: I don't want to start a fly spray epidemic.:lol:

Leon:thumbsup:

[Tandum]

I'd be a little more concerned with banknotes being infected.
It'll stay active for 3 days on plastic.

[DarkArts]

And just in time, it looks like the fly population is set to explode (https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2020-04-26/fly-population-booms-on-outback-cattle-stations/12180742) ... in the outback at least.

On the other hand, medical experts say the risk of acquiring coronavirus from a mosquito (or fly) is extremely low, so don't worry.

[billdan]

For something different.

France is restricting the sales of tobacco products and nicotine patches.

This is because it seems that smokers are not getting the virus and the nicotine is protecting them. Nicotine is a poison and it kills the virus when it enters the lungs.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/france-limits-nicotine-product-sales-after-research-suggests-could-protect-from-coronavirus

[Tropo-Bob]

Patrick Moore said is his autobiography that he once swallowed a fly. As his mother said, it was unfortunate for him but much more unfortunate for the fly.

[DarkArts]

Interesting theory, and it has been published (as a theory) in medical journals by people who know far more about it than I do.

On the other hand, it could be that everyone else stays away from filthy smokers in the first place, so they were under enforced social distancing from the outset. ;)

[leon]

it could be that everyone else stays away from filthy smokers in the first place,

Wow, that sounds a bit harsh doesn't it, the habit itself might be a filthy habit, but they are still human beings.:sadeyes:
Sorry but not impressed with that comment at all.:sadeyes:

Leon

[Zuts]

I agree, I don't like that comment either.

On the other hand being a 45 year smoker myself, with a heart problem and one of the ones at risk from COVID, I had to laugh at the article. All the years people telling me you are an idiot, stop smoking..., and now the French Govt is telling me that my smoking may save me from COVID (but not from lung cancer). It's a very strange world indeed!

[Tropo-Bob]

I have had a few medical problems lately and the first things doctors ask me is "Do U smoke?" Then they ask, "Have U ever smoked?"

The truthful answer is No to both questions, but gee, it comes across as a spiteful judgement of saying U brought it upon yourself.

To be honest, I resent the judgement, even though I am not a smoker.

[multiweb]

Read this thread with great interest. Something way worse than any corona virus comes to mind that flies love to land on. Just sayin' :question:

[AndyG]

Hi Bob, I work at a Medical school, not that I'm a medical person. I see this in student training a lot. This means that question will not go away. The Smoking status (past and present) is a major input into the clinical reasoning "flowchart".

99.9% of the time, no insult is intended. But interpersonal skills and rapport building is another aspect, which may indeed be lacking in those you've been served by. Please don't be upset by it. If you have the energy (which you may not, if sick), front up to them about their style.

All the best, Andy.

[Tropo-Bob]

Thanks Andy,

That's good advice.

[FlashDrive]

Some of you might be offended by this....!!

You can smoke all you like ... but not near me when I have to breath in your second hand poison.

Passive Smoking has its dangers. ... no offense intended

Col...