Using currency notes is not safe, since it can potentially transmit virus

Amaravati: The currency notes act as virus transmission agents, and the people are advised to depend more on digital transactions instead of direct cash payments while purchasing goods during the spread of pandemic Coronavirus.

The main threat is from carriers but not actual patients, observed Dr G Vijaya Saradhi, a senior surgeon in Guntur.

He said that, when the carriers come and purchase the essential commodities like milk, vegetables and others, they pay money through the notes and coins. The notes can carry the virus. At the same time, we can not avoid purchasing essential commodities by using notes and coins.

Vijaya Saradhi further said that "One must be obsessive now. That means, too much cleanliness needed. One must be obsessive in daily transactions from handling the currency while going to purchase any commodities including essentials".

Though the banks encourage digital transactions, it is inevitable for the common man to use the currency. At this juncture, Vijaya Saradhi suggested that "It is better to dip the milk packets and other packaged products in the soap water for some time before they will be used. At the same time, the fruits and vegetables also must be used after dipping them for some minutes on light soap water. The fruits and vegetables must be washed at least three times. They washed first with light soap water and then used normal water for proper purification of the produce. At the same time, the vegetables and fruits could also be cleaned by using light hot water. This procedure would prevent the transmission of the virus".

He said that the actual patients would not come out of the house and they remain in the house quarantine. But, the relatives or family members of the patient come and buy the products in the market. Thereby they transmit the virus to others. Once, the virus spreads in the market it would be difficult to prevent, he cautioned.

The Surgeon added that there were instances of spreading other viruses in the past, through the currency notes and other commodities.