COVID-19. How long should I wait after someone else uses my instrument?

[ackmondual]

I'm taking my euphonium to a professional for cleaning and general maintenance. Last time I've done this was 3 years ago. When I went to pick it up, he blew into the instrument as part of a demo (at least, IIRC?). AFAIK, they may do that as they're doing their work?

As a precaution, what can I do to prevent infection? He already cleaned the instrument. Should I request that he not blow into after all is done? Is there an amount of time I should wait before practicing on it?

Studies I've found show that COVID-19 can live on metal surfaces for 5 days. However, that's presumably with the surface being exposed to air, as opposed to confined in metal tubings and casings of a brass instrument like a euphonium/baritone horn.

[davewerden]

I'm not a scientist so I don't know all the answers. But this week I should be receiving the ACB Double for testing and my plan is this:

I'll spray some of my mouthpiece sanitizer into the horn and blow it through.

Next I'll send a couple of my Herco Spitballs through.

Between those 2 operations I'll feel pretty confident about the insides.


Spitballs:

https://www.amazon.com/Herco-HE185-S...dp/B0002E3GV4/

Sterisol (mouthpiece sanitizer):

https://www.wwbw.com/Sterisol-8oz-Pr...erisol&index=1

[DEF1]

I'm not a scientist so I don't know all the answers. But this week I should be receiving the ACB Double for testing and my plan is this:

I'll spray some of my mouthpiece sanitizer into the horn and blow it through.

Next I'll send a couple of my Herco Spitballs through.

Between those 2 operations I'll feel pretty confident about the insides.


Spitballs:

https://www.amazon.com/Herco-HE185-S...dp/B0002E3GV4/

Sterisol (mouthpiece sanitizer):

https://www.wwbw.com/Sterisol-8oz-Pr...erisol&index=1

Glad that you’ve thought about this Dave. I was a bit worried about the risk when I saw a few people were passing around the Euphonium.