General Chat

I know that charities are looking to re-open their shops as they have obviously lost a lot of money during this lock down. I volunteer at a small shop once/twice a week .
My concern is regarding the donations that will come in. The charity has said that safety measures will be put in place before they open.

Has anyone heard about how long the virus lasts on clothes? I have heard about hard surfaces and paper/cardboard but not fabrics.

I have decided that I won't return until I am as certain as I can be that I am safe when sorting through bags of donations.
Emailing the charity didn't give me any answers. I am an older person with some health problems but not shielded am I being paranoid.?

Afternoon Ginnie, you're not paranoid, merely cautious. Sensible.
I used to donate to and buy from Charity shops often, but since mt accident in 2013
I've not been near them, unable due to immobility. I'm only guessing but I wouldn't
think the virus could be transmitted through fabrics.

No you are not being paranoid at all.
The standard reference to coronavirus and surfgaces is this:
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2004973
When it comes to clothes/textiles the accepted figure is a couple of days. Washing clothes at 60 C will for sure kill off the virus but not all garments can take that.

Thus: (a) ensure that all surfaces in the store are cleaned daily esp included handles , tills etc.
(b) wear disposable gloves while sorting and keep arms covered
(c) wait a few days before opening bags

On no account accept clothes which are damp or have been damp especially once sweaty sports clothes. The virus likes moisture and dies without it.

Thanks both, I have told the manager that I won't be in when they first open but she only hears what she wants and doesn't think there is a worry, but she doesn't do the sorting and hanging the clothes or filling the shelves. In fact she does as little as possible but that's another story.