Alright, it may be time we talk hobby cleanliness with the newly announced Covid-19 pandemic. Here’s how we are cleaning our hobby junk and trying to think smart.
In before anyone instantly screams “ThE fLu iS MoRe DeaDlY” “It’s aLL A ScAm” “iT OnLy KiLls OlD PeOplE”etc. etc. At the end of the day, we face a volatile situation. Sure, it’s not as prevalent as the Flu, but it’s extremely contagious and we’re at a point where it’s in every corner of the world waiting to really pop off.
And it looks like its not going away anytime soon…
Clean Your Phone
Many of us use Battlescribe to play our games. Depending on the army, some of you may also use a dice app. Regardless, you’ll be going back and forth between shaking your opponent’s hand, touching models and dice, and back to your phone. All the germs you pick up will sit happily on your phone screen waiting to be picked up again.
This week, Gizmodo noted that Apple has already said that their phones are completely safe to be wiped down with disinfectant. You just have to be smart so don’t dunk your whole phone in rubbing alcohol. There is also other tips for cleaning non-Apple phones and tablets too.
“Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don’t use bleach,” the notice states. “Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don’t submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don’t use on fabric or leather surfaces.”
…the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people to“disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe” as a preventative measure during the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak.
(obviously)
Be Smart About What Touches Your Minis
If germs touch our phone and stick to the surface at least we have a way to clean them off. Models are a bit more tricky. Don’t you dare rub your painted minis down with alcohol. It might come as common sense but we have to cover all our bases.
According to LiveScience, Covid-19 can live on the surface of plastics for up to three (maybe more) days. That means that IF you do play a game with someone who might be showing early symptoms, it’s probably a good idea to put the minis away for a hot minute and go wash your hands.
new analysis found that the virus can remain viable in the air for up to 3 hours, on copper for up to 4 hours, on cardboard up to 24 hours and on plastic and stainless steel up to 2 to 3 days. However, this study, which was published in the preprint database medRxiv on Wednesday (March 11), has not yet been peer-reviewed.
Even if it may not 100% confirmed yet, the safest way to operate is believing the worst.
If you’re really wanting to get a game in but don’t want to risk spreading anything, you can always also grab one of those sticks Casinos use at the craps table to shuffle your minis around the board.
Follow The Rules Of Your Local Government
With different (and very real) stages of progression of the virus depending on where you live, your government may announce curfews. If you’re called to stay at home and only come out for essential things, just stay at home and don’t risk it. Believe it or not, Warhammer is not an essential part of life.
Maybe just use the opportunity to sit and hobby on some projects you might have been putting off. But just as we mentioned before, wipe down your area when you’re done including paint pots and if applicable your airbrush!
What will you be hobbying on while you wait for things to get better? Will you be playing a few Warhammer games on PC or console?
Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group, and make sure you enter the latest monthly giveaway for FREE today!
About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
Socials: @RealmbrushPainting
About Wesley Floyd: Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He is known for his satirist takes on trending topics and imaginative yet amazingly affordable hobby solutions to painting Warhammer miniatures.
Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4. If you like what he writes and want to contact him or have your tabletop minatures painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
