Can one tell the date of manufacture from say a serial number

[anon125]

as not enough is known yet about the covid 19 pandemic virus...
i dont think it wise to buy a nonessential item that may have the virus on it.

so if it was made before say october 2019 that would be safer.
thanks all

 

[Biggles]

No.

The virus will only have a certain period before it becomes inactive, the problem being the period that the virus remains active is not known.

A virus is not a living organism, that is a bacteria such as eColi and a virus behaves differently to a bacteria although both can be inhaled.

Whoever boxes up the keyboard could leave the virus on the keyboard itself and on the packing so keyboard age has sweet FA to do with anything Coronavirus related.

If you do not know about decontamination procedures my advice would be to avoid purchasing anything non essential, it is safer for you and the people handling the goods in transit.

BTW
Good old fashioned soap and water is the the best combination for destroying the virus which may be on your hands, body and clothes which is one of the reasons why the advice is what it is

 

[happyrat1]

Rule of thumb is that the virus can't survive more than 24 hours on paper or cardboard, while no more than 2 or 3 days on steel or plastic.

I ordered my Hydrasynth and received it at the point Wuhan was just going into lockdown and since it spent two weeks on a boat and train getting to me it was perfectly safe to handle when it arrived the third week of January.

Even Canada Post has advised us that the likelihood of contracting the virus from letter mail and packages is virtually nil.

Truth be told you are at a bigger risk talking to a salesperson and if you order in by mail just wait two or three days before opening the package if you want to be extra careful.

Gary

 

[anon125]

Thanks for your help.

 

[happyrat1]

You're welcome. Stay safe

Gary

 

[Biggles]

The problem is that Coronavirus does not know The Rule of Thumb.

An infected person packs up the keyboard, posts it with a before 12 next day delivery.

Would you open and use the keyboard?

Would you open and use the keyboard if it was 48 hours between packing up and you using?

Or 72 hours?

The Virologists simply do not yet know the active period of the virus.

 

[happyrat1]

If you want to be insanely paranoid about it, wear gloves when you pick up your mail, stick the package in your garage or a closet for a week and THEN open it up.

Or you could be a normal person, wash your hands after picking up the mail, and wait 48 hours before opening it.

I realize these are scary times col, but everything you just said could just as easily apply to your weekly grocery shop.

Or are you stocked up with enough food for the next 6 months that social distancing rules will probably apply?

I don't want to die prematurely either Col, but if you think you can stop every invisible microbe out there indefinitely then you have taken on an impossible challenge.

Look at Big Bad Boris. With all the precautions they insisted he take he still came down with the virus. Look at the 10% of health care workers in NYC who have already tested positive for the virus.

If these people couldn't stop it with all of their precautions what chance does Joe Schmoe have of being 110% safe?

Face it, all we can do is keep our fingers crossed and make sure our last will and testament is up to date.

If I die tomorrow, then so be it. I've lived a life which was full of love and enjoyment and who am I to question the boatman when my time is up?

Gary

 

[happyrat1]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/coronavirus-grocery-shopping-online-1.5516983

 

[delaware dave]

• The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code (mutation) and convert them into aggressor and multiplier cells.
• Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.
• The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy, because the foam CUTS the FAT (that is why you have to rub so much: for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam).
• By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own.
• HEAT melts fat; this is why it is so good to use water above 77 degrees Fahrenheit for washing hands, clothes and everything. In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful.
• Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.
• Any mix with 1 part blea
  • The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code (mutation) and convert them into aggressor and multiplier cells.
  • Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.
  • The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy, because the foam CUTS the FAT (that is why you have to rub so much: for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam).
  • By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own.
  • HEAT melts fat; this is why it is so good to use water above 77 degrees Fahrenheit for washing hands, clothes and everything. In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful.
  • Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.
  • Any mix with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaks it down from the inside.
  • Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it pure and it hurts your skin.
  • NO BACTERICIDE OR ANTIBIOTIC SERVES. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; antibodies cannot kill what is not alive.
  • NEVER shake used or unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While it is glued to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates only
    • between 3 hours (fabric and porous)
    • 4 hours (copper and wood)
    • 24 hours (cardboard),
    • 42 hours (metal) and
    • 72 hours (plastic).
      • But if you shake it or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to 3 hours, and can lodge in your nose.
  • The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial as air conditioners in houses and cars.
  • They also need moisture to stay stable, and especially darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade it faster.
  • UV LIGHT on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein. For example, to disinfect and reuse a mask is perfect. Be careful, it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin.
  • The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.
  • Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.
  • NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and you need 65%.
  • LISTERINE IF IT SERVES! It is 65% alcohol.
  • The more confined the space, the more concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less.
  • You have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone, watches, computers, desks, TV, etc. And when using the bathroom.
  • You have to Moisturize dry hands from so much washing them, because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better.
  • Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there.
• ch and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaks it down from the inside.
• Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it pure and it hurts your skin.
• NO BACTERICIDE OR ANTIBIOTIC SERVES. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; antibodies cannot kill what is not alive.
• NEVER shake used or unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While it is glued to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates only
  • between 3 hours (fabric and porous)
  • 4 hours (copper and wood)
  • 24 hours (cardboard),
  • 42 hours (metal) and
  • 72 hours (plastic).
    • But if you shake it or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to 3 hours, and can lodge in your nose.
• The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial as air conditioners in houses and cars.
• They also need moisture to stay stable, and especially darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade it faster.
• UV LIGHT on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein. For example, to disinfect and reuse a mask is perfect. Be careful, it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin.
• The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.
• Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.
• NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and you need 65%.
• LISTERINE IF IT SERVES! It is 65% alcohol.
• The more confined the space, the more concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less.
• You have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone, watches, computers, desks, TV, etc. And when using the bathroom.
• You have to Moisturize dry hands from so much washing them, because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better.
• Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there.