Coronavirus on rocks?

I've read about how long coronavirus can survive on surfaces such as metal or plastic, but nothing about how long it might survive on rocks. I am fairly certain this data wouldn't be available for this virus seeing his new it is, but I am wondering if anyone is aware of how well other/similar viruses fare on rocks outdoors?

No idea but I would guess that since the virus survives less time on more porous surfaces like cardboard it could last longer on rocks, but not as long as metal. And the type or rock may affect it. More porous rock like sandstone may mean less time. I would imagine the tests we’ve heard about are done in controlled environments (indoors) Outdoors with sunshine (UV rays), rain, temperature changes may reduce its viability.

Glowering wrote: No idea but I would think since the virus survives less time on more porous surfaces like cardboard it could last longer on rocks, but not as long as metal. And the type or rock may affect it. More porous rock like sandstone may mean less time. I would imagine the tests we’ve heard about are done in controlled environments. Outdoors with sunshine (UV rays), rain, temperature changes may reduce its viability. 

I think your first two words were the best. It tapered off from there.

Delaney Bray-Stone wrote: I've read about how long coronavirus can survive on surfaces such as metal or plastic, but nothing about how long it might survive on rocks. I am fairly certain this data wouldn't be available for this virus seeing his new it is, but I am wondering if anyone is aware of how well other/similar viruses fare on rocks outdoors?

Short answer, know one knows how long COVID 19 lasts outside in different weather on different surfaces.  It really doesn't matter what other viruses do because they are different.  The main concern with COVID 19 transmission is airborne droplets or people who cough into their hand then shake yours.  The virus surviving on rocks is less of an issue than gatherings at the base of boulders, crags, the gas station, the beers after.  Also, with spring, good weather, shopping and gathering place closures,  people working/schooling from home there is a large amount of people heading outdoors.  With many crags closed due to park closures, there will be crowds gathering at the open spots.  You have to get crafty to stay 6 feet apart. The safest thing to do for society right now is to stay home.  I'm just as bummed about it as you.

^^^No Idea^^^ +1 Many variables; temperature, humidity, UV....

I wonder if there is any data for other types of coronavirus on surfaces such as concrete, etc.? The most recent research on materials such as steel, plastic, fabric etc.. compared the covid19 virus to SARS and the results were very similar.

Fortunately I have some secret local crags I've been developing. I can keep bolting and have some fun there, but was thinking of heading to some established crags to climb a greater variety of stuff... This got me thinking about people having touched the holds etc.. though.

Out of an abundance of caution I've decided to not even lead climb to reduce the chance of straining the healthcare system now. TR only.

Delaney Bray-Stone wrote: I've read about how long coronavirus can survive on surfaces such as metal or plastic, but nothing about how long it might survive on rocks. I am fairly certain this data wouldn't be available for this virus seeing his new it is, but I am wondering if anyone is aware of how well other/similar viruses fare on rocks outdoors?

Rocks are regularly pretty nasty (so is most everything we touch) so just stop touching your face after/during climbing!

mario molina wrote: This is truly silly.You are buying into paranoia.
You must love Fox News.

Look, i’m getting really getting tired of preaching this throughout the forums today. Over 400 people died today in Italy. The paranoia is real. I too thought the media were blowing this out of proportion early on. But the reality is... we are heading towards those numbers, and quick. 

mario molina seems to have a talent for the off-topic posting that slanders large groups of Americans, which does nothing useful and pisses a few readers off.

Pull your head out of your ass mario. How about you play a game with yourself, draw what you think this graph will end up looking like for April to November - https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-death-toll/ - then stop stirring shit on MP and start trying to be helpful.

Quite frankly, I’m disappointed. I read the title as “Coronavirus on the Rocks” I thought someone had invented a new drink.

The virus is a litmus test for a person's overall health, and more specifically their immunity baseline.   Something like 80% of those infected will barely have symptoms.

Max R wrote:

Look, i’m getting really getting tired of preaching this throughout the forums today. Over 400 people died today in Italy. The paranoia is real. I too thought the media were blowing this out of proportion early on. But the reality is... we are heading towards those numbers, and quick. 

Sadly, it was actually 627 deaths in Italy today.  Wait a week or two and that is what NYC will look like.  

Russ Keane wrote: The virus is a litmus test for a person's overall health, and more specifically their immunity baseline.   Something like 80% of those infected will barely have symptoms.

Incorrect.  About 50% will have mild to no symptoms, 30% moderate, and about 20% is the severe symptoms.  Even those with no symptoms can spread the virus, and two studies say they spread it more.  Also CDC says about 20% of those hospitalized are in the 20-44 age range.  The second case in LA was a 50yr old super healthy extreme skier....and he ended up on a ventilator.   Do you want to be in a hospital for weeks on a ventilator....if you are lucky enough to get one?

"About 50% will have mild to no symptoms, 30% moderate"

OK that's 80.   That moderate category probably feels like a severe head cold.   As for young people, plenty of them have diabetes, obesity and other risk factors.   Shit there's even obese first-graders now.   The 50 year ski athlete guy-  Who knows, there could be unique reasons why the Virus hit him so hard.   The bottom line is, you see elderly and other susceptible people getting slammed by this thing.  It makes logical sense. 

SARS CoV-2 (the official name of the virus; COVID19 is the WHO-given name for the disease caused by it) is a single stranded RNA virus and like most such, is highly prone to genetic instability, and would seemingly be especially so under exposure to UV light.  How that translates to persistence and virulence after being outside on a rock...I don't think anybody knows at this point, because it's way down the list of priority questions right now.

Here's the answer...
Yes it can survive on rocks.
It fucks up 20 year olds too.
Stay home like your grandma's life depends on it.  
http://www.alpinist.com/doc/web20s/newsire-covid19-presumed-infectious-on-rock?fbclid=IwAR2v_D52nFYg6gKVbUqAa0XQs_0L0_iDZ1QcRlPfrIQyevOu2rEgSfrQMGo

Russ Keane wrote: The virus is a litmus test for a person's overall health, and more specifically their immunity baseline.   Something like 80% of those infected will barely have symptoms.

Interesting... could you please cite where you found this info. Particularly the “barely have symptoms” part.   Because it seems to me you are blatantly spreading false information

Dave T wrote: Interesting... could you please cite where you found this info. Particularly the “barely have symptoms” part.   Because it seems to me you are blatantly spreading false information

Yeah i gotta agree. That was one of the most idiotic bits of advice i’ve read throughout this whole thing. 

Russ Keane wrote: The virus is a litmus test for a person's overall health, and more specifically their immunity baseline.   Something like 80% of those infected will barely have symptoms.

No. What complicates matters is if you have some other health issue. For example, you've got diabetes, or you're overweight, or you've got asthma, etc. This will unfortunately lower your chance for surviving the viral infection. 

But it's simply chance/genetics on if you become symptomatic to the virus, and to what degree. If you're young and fit, the chances of death are lowered. They don't entirely go away, though.

It's not chance/genetics, it's your overall state of health.  Why do you think obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are risk factors?   The world's population (in most countries now) is very unhealthy and many people are a sitting duck for this.  

Here's the 80% information.  I was wrong to say "barely symptomatic" but my point was, this may not be quite the emergency that it seems.  Sure, who wants to get a nasty Flu and feel shitty for a week or two.  But a bunch of people contracting this virus is not the end of the world.  

"Most people infected with COVID-19 virus have mild disease and recover. Approximately 80% of laboratory confirmed patients have had mild to moderate disease, which includes non-pneumonia and pneumonia cases, 13.8% have severe disease (dyspnea, respiratory frequency ≥30/minute, blood oxygen saturation ≤93%, PaO2/FiO2 ratio <300, and/or lung infiltrates >50% of the lung field within 24-48 hours) and 6.1% are critical (respiratory failure, septic shock, and/or multiple organ dysfunction/failure)."

(Report of the WHO-China Joint Mission on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) February 2020 ---- https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/who-china-joint-mission-on-covid-19-final-report.pdf)

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Below is a detailed look at the mild to moderate categories, the 80%:    

Mild Illness
 "[A] mild infection starts normally with a fever, although it may take a couple of days to get a fever. You will have some respiratory symptoms; you have some aches and pains. You'll have a dry cough. This is what the majority of individuals will have." It is "nothing that will make you feel like you need to run to a hospital," says Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.  A mild case of COVID-19 in and of itself is not dangerous. But in some cases — more commonly in older people and in people with underlying health issues — a mild case can progress to a moderate case that could require some supportive care such as fluids for dehydration, typically in an emergency room or urgent care center, especially if hospitals are overwhelmed by the most acute cases.

Moderate
Symptoms of being moderately ill with COVID-19 include coughing, fever above 100.4, chills and a feeling that you don't want to or can't get out of bed, says Adalja.   For patients with moderate symptoms, hospitalization is unlikely unless they are having difficulty drawing a breath or are dehydrated.

( npr.org/sections/goatsandso…)

Mild to moderate symptoms if you’re young and healthy? Tell that to the 2012 Olympic gold medalist in swimming who described this as the worst “flu “they’ve ever had. Or the 12-year-old healthy young girl in Atlanta who is on a ventilator in critical condition and will probably have lung damage for the rest of her life.