Footpaths and gates

Sunlover
There are NHS approved disposable sanitised hand wipes you can buy online.Surely much safer than carrying a piece of cloth around with you waiting to go in the washing machine no doubt at the same time as other items?

Sarahellenwhitney if you are using the same pair of gloves all along the walk or even shipping in s supermarket, if you pick the virus up on one item or gate latch you will pass it to the next thing you touch. You can't wash your hands after everything you touch when out. Best advice is not to touch your face while out and thoroughly wash your hands when you get home

Thankfully few of our footpaths have either stiles or gates. So far I have been wearing gloves when using the one walk with styles. When I get home I take them off and leave them on the side. The virus, if any is still alive, will be non-viable when I next use them , then I wash my hands.

Much more important to have my secaturs to cut back the brambles on the less used paths and spare cash and a bag incase I buy any plants displayed for sale on stands at people's garden gates.

I do wonder when I read of people using wipes whether any company is manufacturing wipes which kill Covid19?
Most wipes are antibacterial, some products e.g. Dettol say they also kill coronaviruses but don't say that they have been proven to kill Covid19 - as they have not!
Please do not think a wipe will protect you. You need alcohol 60% or above or soap and water.

i would put a notice up.about touching the gate and distancing...or print one out from the internet and put in a plastic folder..

I walk to work across 2 parks and open the gates with my foot and use my elbow to slide the gate. I wash my hands when I get to work.

Yes, the virus can be transferred onto gates and latches and stay active for about 24 hours on wood and several days on metal.

I await to see piles of discarded wet wipes and disposable gloves alongside the dog poo bags on my daily walk in our local woods ?

The virus cannot enter your body through your skin.

All that is required is to NOT touch your face, particularly nose mouth or eyes while outdoors and to wash your hands thoroughly as soon as you arrive home.
Gloves are a distraction lending a false sense of security as they transfer virus in just the same way as hands do.

I predict that within a few weeks the scientists will change their advice on masks and gloves, especially when they ease lockdown.

By the way I have one neighbour whose house is actually his second home. He lives in London most of the time. Now I see he is back here in Devon. The Government tells us not to visit our second homes. But it is a lot safer here in Devon than in London.

That's nice of him, Annaram1. I trust he hasn't brought some Covid19 with him, London being something of a hotspot, you know.

That's why people are being asked not to travel to holiday homes etc. To minimise the risk of spreading the disease.

In what way Pikachu? The underpinning science won't change.

I wear my marigolds because they are bulky and remind me not to touch my face.

Now I see he is back here in Devon. The Government tells us not to visit our second homes. But it is a lot safer here in Devon than in London.

Is his GP from London bunking up with him
Because GPs cannot handle extra temporary registrations right now.

Disposable gloves ? If only I knew where I’d buy some!!

Pikachu; the reason the government aren't advising people to wear masks is probably because they haven't got any. If and when someone in government works out how to obtain protection for people in this country they'll probably advise us to use them. One of those things which, imo, can't do any harm but might just do some good. The reasoning being that a mask might not protect you from the virus but will prevent an asymptomatic person coughing or sneezing in a confined space thereby infecting other people. As ever we'll be the last country to officially implement it by which time most people with any sense will be wearing them already...

Labaik you are probably right on all points.

And I stand by my prediction.

@crystalball