We’re answering your questions about the pandemic. Send yours to COVID@cbc.ca and we’ll answer as many as we can. We’ll publish a selection of answers every weekday online, and also put some questions to the experts during The National and on CBC News Network.
We’re answering your questions about the pandemic. Send yours to COVID@cbc.ca and we’ll answer as many as we can. We’ll publish a selection of answers every weekday online, and also put some questions to the experts during The National and on CBC News Network.
Is it safe to give cards and flowers this Mother’s Day?
With Mother’s Day right around the corner, some are wondering how they can safely give the usual gifts. Cate O. wants to know whether cards are safe, and Phillip A. is curious about sending flowers.
In general, we know the virus is able to persist on different surfaces for varying amounts of time. So, when bringing or receiving gifts and packages, Health Canada advises people to continue to maintain proper hygiene to lower any risk of surface transmission. That includes washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, using alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available, and to avoid touching your face.
Dr. Peter Lin, a family physician and CBC medical expert, echoes this advice and adds moms can also wipe the surfaces around the flowers for extra caution.
“If you want you can just wipe down the plastic around the flowers, you can use soap and water or disinfectant wipes. If you don’t wipe it down that is fine, just wash your hands with soap and water so if there was any virus on the packaging it is washed off your hands,” he says. “Same thing with after handling the card or any mail. Just wash your hands with soap and water and you will be fine.”
Can the virus travel through HVAC systems?
Phil W. wrote to us wondering if the virus can travel through our heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
The short answer is, we aren’t sure just yet, but we spoke to some experts who gave their thoughts.
First, it’s important to remember how the coronavirus spreads.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus spreads primarily through tiny droplets expelled when an infected person sneezes, coughs, exhales or spits.
Because this is the main form of transmission, experts say they aren’t overly concerned with HVAC systems.
“Might it be possible in some circumstances? Maybe. Is it a co