COVID 19 Tools

[Grant Lamontagne]

No good tragedy can occur without someone looking to make a buck, and in this case, we have a whole new industry to explore.

Has anyone else seen/bought/used any of the COVID 19 tools that you see everyone selling nowadays?  I broke down and bought one, the Brass Buddy:



I intended to write a review about it, but to be honest, I have yet to actually use it for anything, and I am one step away from being a germaphobe, so right there that seems like a bit of a fail in the very concept.  I mean, if I am not enough of a target consumer that would use this, I have to wonder who else would be?

They seem like a good idea, but I just haven't brought myself to use it for anything.  But, in the interest of this website and our mandate, I am going to start forcing myself to carry and use it.

In the meantime, has anyone else gotten and/or used one?  What did you get, why, and what do you think of it?   

Def

[tosh]

 

[Grant Lamontagne]

My thoughts exactly, but it also has a bottle opener, and therefore, by the Sacred Texts of Multitool.Org, we must test it.   

Def

[gregozedobe]

I have something similar, and I do use it when I remember.  Most uses seem to be for opening high traffic doors that need to be pulled (otherwise I push with my elbow), and inputting my PIN number when paying at a busy supermarket.  If I lived where there was a lot of COVID-19 I would probably use it a lot more.  I have it on my car keys so it is always with me when I'm out and about.

[tosh]

My thoughts exactly, but it also has a bottle opener, and therefore, by the Sacred Texts of Multitool.Org, we must test it.   

Def

I’m actually lost for words - congratulations that’s quite a achievement for me, never one to shy away....but Geez!! Definitely one for the mall ninjas.....

[Aloha]

I live in a city where we are now on the COVID watch list since our cases rose once restrictions were lifted.  I am not a target for these type things.  I wear a mask as required and use hand sanitizer or better yet wash my hands often.  I have been thinking about how I conduct myself day to day a lot lately. 

While I am not a germaphobe I am conscious of others lack of cleanliness.  I don't touch my face often.  I am conscious of touching certain things out in the public within reason.  I carry hand sanitizer and use when I have to touch things I can't help touch.  I've wiped carts/trollys at the market since I had kids.  Most doors at the market are auto opening so no touching needed.  When I do have to open doors I am conscious of not touching my face.  I've seen a lot of men not wash their hands properly after using the latrine and I can only imagine its similar for women. 

If anything I've strengthened what I have always done and have become more conscious than ever.         

[Old Boy]

I’ve never talked to my brother too much about it.  But he bought one but it ended up just sitting around the house. He said it drew too many stares.

Personally I respectfully don’t see the point. Whatever it touches will touch you or your clothes eventually.

I think it’s better to just purchase a UV light chamber for your stuff and wash / sanitize your hands.

[Chako]

Good point. Maybe if made of silver...but the price would be high. 

[ElevenBlade]

Apparently Copper is a good metal to use for these things.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/copper-virus-kill-180974655/

I think there is some benefit... and its additive over the various layers of protection.  I can easily imagine that in the not too distant past I pressed buttons on the ATM and soon after, unmindfully shoved that finger up my nose. 

Now that theres no finger touching the ATM and no nose exposed... I do that far less often.

[Syncop8r]

I can easily imagine that in the not too distant past I pressed buttons on the ATM and soon after, unmindfully shoved that finger up my nose. 

Now that theres no finger touching the ATM and no nose exposed... I do that far less often.

Or you could use your fingers on the ATM and a tool to pick your nose. 

[stugumby]

im thinking about getting one at walmart, not expensive at $9 for 2 cheap ones, im using cut down chopstix as finger extenders for anything keypadish and throw them away. still not a bad idea except you have to touch these covid keys to clean them?

[Zephon]

I was about to say my Covid-19 tools are:

1. Out of the house EDC: surgical facemask (disposable), face shield, pocketable alcohol spray bottle.
2. Indoors: pulse oxymeter
3. Just for kicks: garmin instinct with heart rate monitor

But that tool for poking and opening doors just took the cake 

Then again, if ever my wife sees that, she’ll probably go ‘let’s try it!’ Hahaha!

I agree with the general consensus though - keep your hands clean, away from face (yours or anyone else), avoid crowds if possible. I have family and kids so it’s better to be a bit more paranoid than sorry.

 

[Alan K.]

I don't know if there's any point to these things. I can wear gloves and I can use hand sanitizer a lot easier than poking keypad buttons with some awkward and uncomfortable gizmo.

[Jothra]

"So that's what things would be like if I'd invented the fing-longer. [Sigh]. A man can dream though. A man can dream..."

[Edit: I carry a pocket knife with a saw I absolutely don't need, so I can't begrudge anyone for carrying just about anything.]

[dks]

For those of us than can not stop touching ourselves and others gloves and disinfectant are better


So you use it to touch all germ ridden surfaces and then you use it to open a bottle which you stick in your mouth.
And you will touch it at some point when you get it out of your pocket.


If brass was so effective at killing germs hospitals would be full of it.

[Grant Lamontagne]

(Image removed from quote.)
"So that's what things would be like if I'd invented the fing-longer. [Sigh]. A man can dream though. A man can dream..."

[Edit: I carry a pocket knife with a saw I absolutely don't need, so I can't begrudge anyone for carrying just about anything.]

I have been thinking that the fing-wonger would be a great thing to have these days....

Def

[Syncop8r]

For those of us than can not stop touching ourselves and others gloves and disinfectant are better

What about the restraining order?

[pfrsantos]

For those of us than can not stop touching ourselves and others gloves and disinfectant are better


So you use it to touch all germ ridden surfaces and then you use it to open a bottle which you stick in your mouth.
And you will touch it at some point when you get it out of your pocket.


If brass was so effective at killing germs hospitals would be full of it.

Nah... they awlways rely on privates to do awl the work...

 

[Chako]

It was super cheap...and this thread got me into buying one at Canadian Tire. Thanks Def.   

IMG_8941A by Chako, on Flickr

I still think these are a somewhat dumb idea...but that has never stopped me from buying a multi-tool in the past. 

[pfrsantos]

It was super cheap...and this thread got me into buying one at Canadian Tire. Thanks Def.   

Yeah, like you need a thread or any other excuse to buy a handful of tools every other day...

 

[Chako]

Guilty as charged. 

[Don Pablo]

If brass was so effective at killing germs hospitals would be full of it.

There's some debate on that....
Pros: less germs
Cons: has to be polished frequently or it looks yuck.

[dks]

What about the restraining order?

I try to have a serious discussion.....

[dks]

There's some debate on that....
Pros: less germs
Cons: has to be polished frequently or it looks yuck.

Allegedly injecting disinfectant also helps

[Syncop8r]

I try to have a serious discussion.....

Allegedly injecting disinfectant also helps

[Jothra]

It still takes hours for copper and its alloys to kill germs. This may hamper their usefulness as fing-longers. It still beats using your tongue.

In somewhat related news, in southern Alberta, I saw a sign that said "Open this door with anything BUT your hands."

Anything? Ooooooookaaaaaaay.

[leathermon]

I have something similar, and I do use it when I remember.  Most uses seem to be for opening high traffic doors that need to be pulled (otherwise I push with my elbow), and inputting my PIN number when paying at a busy supermarket.  If I lived where there was a lot of COVID-19 I would probably use it a lot more.  I have it on my car keys so it is always with me when I'm out and about.

I have one,  but never carry it.  I find myself using my pokka pen attached to my front pocket wallet to use for pin pads.

[gregozedobe]

So you use it to touch all germ ridden surfaces and then you use it to open a bottle which you stick in your mouth.
And you will touch it at some point when you get it out of your pocket.

If you want to be serious about the process you can disinfect it before putting it away or touching something else that you are then going to touch.  I carry a small bottle of IPA in my pocket so I can disinfect whatever I want whenever I think it is needed.

ETTO I don't think anyone is trying to make you do or buy anything you don't want.

[gregozedobe]

It still takes hours for copper and its alloys to kill germs. This may hamper their usefulness as fing-longers. It still beats using your tongue.

In somewhat related news, in southern Alberta, I saw a sign that said "Open this door with anything BUT your hands."

Anything? Ooooooookaaaaaaay.

Challenge accepted ?    (no pics please, this is a family friendly forum)   

[TazzieRob]