Can mosquitoes and flies spread the new coronavirus? Should raw meat be washed? Listen to what the experts say

Will mosquito and fly bites spread the new coronavirus? Is it possible to be infected by briefly handing over items to takeaway or courier personnel? Recently, at a press conference on the prevention and control of the new coronavirus pneumonia in Beijing, Wang Liping, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, responded to recent concerns.

Can mosquito and fly bites spread the new coronavirus?

Based on the epidemiological evidence available, there are currently no reports of humans being infected with the new coronavirus due to vectors such as mosquitoes and flies worldwide.

Although evidence does not support the transmission of the novel coronavirus by mosquitoes and flies, they do carry the risk of transmitting other infectious diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever, which are transmitted by mosquito bites. Therefore, in the summer, the public should take protective measures against mosquito bites at home and outdoors, and should also pay attention to properly protecting food. By taking effective anti-mosquito measures, the risk of vector-borne and intestinal infectious diseases can be reduced.

Will you be infected if you receive express delivery in a short period of time?

Generally, the chance of being infected by receiving express delivery in a short period of time is very low, but in areas where the new coronavirus is spreading, citizens should try to use smart express boxes and other modes when receiving express delivery, reduce direct contact between people, and take protective measures to reduce the risk of infection.

According to the current understanding of the transmission route of the new coronavirus, the virus is mainly transmitted through close direct contact with the respiratory droplets of an infected person, or through contact with objects contaminated by the infected person, and then infection through the eyes, mouth and nose by the hands contaminated with the virus; in a relatively closed environment, long-term exposure to high-concentration aerosols may also be possible through aerosol transmission. It is generally believed that the probability of being infected by receiving express delivery for a short period of time is very low.

Citizens should develop good hygiene habits. Whether they receive express delivery at home, pick up express delivery at the community gate, or pick up express delivery in the express delivery box, they should wear masks in advance. After receiving the express delivery, they should properly handle the outer packaging of the express package, and then wash their hands with running water and soap or use hand disinfectant in time. The outer packaging of express delivery should be properly handled in accordance with the requirements for the classification of daily life waste.

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Should you wash raw meat?

Recently, the National Health Commission issued the "Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of the Normalization of the COVID-19 Epidemic in Key Areas, Key Units and Key Places in Low-risk Areas in Summer", one of the recommendations is "Do not rinse raw meat products directly under the faucet to prevent splashing and contamination." So, should raw meat be washed?

Ruan Guangfeng, director of the Science and Technology Department of the Kexin Food and Nutrition Information Exchange Center, said that meat with a relatively clean surface does not need to be washed for the following three reasons: First, whether the meat is washed or not actually has nothing to do with whether raw meat can spread the new coronavirus. The new coronavirus may contaminate some ingredients, but it is unlikely to be transmitted through food, which means that washing meat cannot prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Second, the meat currently purchased in regular supermarkets is basically slaughtered and processed uniformly through regular slaughtering and processing. A series of processes such as bleeding and washing will be carried out during the production process. Consumers do not need to wash it again and can cook it directly. Third, even if there are viruses, bacteria and parasites, the microorganisms will be killed when the meat is thoroughly cooked.

Many people are used to washing raw meat, and they always feel that washing it is cleaner. Some people even think that soaking raw meat in water for a while and adding some salt or detergent can wash away the germs or parasites on it. The above methods cannot disinfect and sterilize. If you really want to wash it, you can use a special basin to soak and wash it. After washing, put the raw meat on the chopping board used for processing raw food, pour out the water in the basin, wash the basin with detergent in time, and dry it. Be sure to wash your hands carefully with soap after handling raw meat, and avoid rubbing your eyes and nose directly with your hands.