Influenza A and B viruses can persist on dry environmental surfaces, both porous and nonporous. Laboratory studies conducted to evaluate this persistence document survival periods that vary widely in length, depending on environmental factors. Low relative humidity levels (e.g., < 50%) and cool, ambient temperatures are associated with longer periods of activity. Influenza A virus can survive on hard, nonporous surfaces (e.g., stainless steel, hard plastic) for 24 – 48 hours and on porous materials (e.g., cloth, paper) for < 8 – 12 hours in ambient temperatures (1). Virus persistence on surfaces increases up to 72 hours when those surfaces are moist or wet (2). Early laboratory studies with the PR-8 strain of influenza virus recovered infectious virus from cotton fabric after several weeks (3). However, the extent to which these surfaces and materials contributed to actual spread of infection was not determined. Influenza virus persistence on hands also varied widely. One early study demonstrated that dried influenza virus can persist on hands for at least 3 hours (4), whereas more recent studies have shown that virus can remain stable on the hands for < 5 minutes (1). Infectious virus can be transferred to hands from nonporous surfaces for at least 2 – 8 hours during periods of heavy viral shedding in respiratory secretions (1). Virus transfer from porous materials to the hands is much less efficient, being severely affected by rapid drying. In this instance, infectious virus was transferred at detectable levels to the hands for only 15 minutes (1).
I appreciate the brainstorm on the sanitary cover, like the doctors do! You are right about necessity too, I'm late already per plan for racking so extra time won't hurt anything at all. That is why it bugged me though haha just getting in the way! Figured I'd drum up the convo to satiate my patience 
