I’m a veterinary technician. We have had long discussions on if pets can be carriers of COVID19. We have had hundreds of calls from clients asking the same. This is what we know.
Dogs and cats do have/can contract a corona virus. They are NOT the same as COVID19 and are pretty species specific. As of today they is no link between pets and human transmission in the typical sense.
However, pets can become fomites. Meaning that an infected person would need to have contact with pet to possibly shed virus ONTO them. That, in turn makes a pets fur a possible carrier.
I understand that is an extreme condition and it would need things to line up perfectly for you or family member to become infected by the virus from your pet.
We in the veterinary world are trying to understand this virus everyday.
A
fomite (
/ˈfoʊmaɪt/) or
fomes (pronounced
/ˈfoʊmiːz/) is any inanimate object that, when contaminated with or exposed to infectious agents (such as pathogenic bacteria, viruses or fungi), can transfer disease to a new host.
[1]
For humans,
skin cells, hair, clothing, and bedding are common hospital fomites.
Fomites are associated particularly with
hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), as they are possible routes to pass pathogens between patients. Inadequately washed hands,
Stethoscopes and
neckties are common fomites associated with
health care providers.
Basic hospital equipment, such as
IV drip tubes,
catheters, and life support equipment, can also be carriers, when the pathogens form
biofilms on the surfaces. Careful
sterilization of such objects prevents cross-infection. Used syringes, if improperly handled, are particularly dangerous fomites.
In addition to objects in hospital settings, other common fomites for humans are cups, spoons, pencils, bath faucet handles, toilet flush levers, door knobs, light switches, handrails, elevator buttons, television remote controls, pens, touch screens, common-use phones, keyboards, and computer mice, coffeepot handles, countertops, and any other items that may be frequently touched by different people and infrequently cleaned.
Researchers have discovered that smooth (non-porous) surfaces like
door knobs transmit bacteria and viruses better than porous materials like paper money because porous, especially fibrous, materials absorb and trap the contagion, making it harder to contract through simple touch. Nonetheless, fomites may include soiled clothes, towels, linens, handkerchiefs, and surgical dressings.
[2][3]
I mean I’m not disagreeing with what you said about trade jobs, I help run an autobody shop and I know finding employees is tough, but what you said couldn’t be further from the truth in regards to what it is like after college.
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