Re: [Harp-L] RE: Hering is here, now to clean...

[jandkday@xxxxxxxxxxx]

 Hep C is the real danger.  Don't share harps.

-------------- Original message -------------- 

> Greg Heumann wrote: 
> "The HIV virus can not live long, if at all, in a harmonica, or any 
> other non-organic, non-wet environment. Period." 
> 
> Absolutely true. The chance that a harp player will get HIV from a dry 
> harmonica (or any other dry surface) is zero. 
> 
> Greg continues: 
> "Personally, I believe that any germs it once carried are now dead, 
> and I would simply start enjoying it immediately." 
> 
> The word "germ" refers to lots of different organisms. HIV is a virus, 
> and viruses differ from bacteria in important ways. Among other things, 
> bacteria form spores, and spores can live (with their encapsulated 
> bacteria) for thousands of years, or until a hospitable environment is 
> present. 
> 
> In other words, even when a harp can be presumed free of contamination 
> by viruses, bacteria or spores may be present. I'd certainly clean any 
> harp that had been played by someone else before I used it. 
> 
> Thanks and regards, Richard Hunter 
> hunterharp.com 
> 
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