There are a lot of things we don't know about COVID-19, but evidence shows that it spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Other individuals may be infected when they touch a surface that has virus particles on it and then touch their own mouth, nose, or eyes. Here are some tips for minimizing your risk of contracting COVID-19.
Personal Hygiene
Hygiene is essential in any fight between human and contagious disease.
- Wash your hands. Keep your hands clean by frequently washing them with soap and water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Don't touch your face. The average person touches their face 23 times an hour and about half of the time they're touching their eyes, nose or mouth also known as the mucous membrane, where any virus on your hands can enter your body.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with the inside of your elbow or upper arm.
- Stay home if you are feeling sick and seek appropriate medical guidance.
Practice Social Distancing
Together, we can slow the spread of COVID-19 by making a conscious effort to keep a physical distance between each other. Social distancing is proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of illness during an outbreak.
- Keep your distance. The number of people in any given location is important, but density is even more important. Respiratory droplets from a cough or sneeze can travel up to six feet and be inhaled into the lungs of people within range. Protect yourself by staying out of range.
- Make a conscious effort to avoid crowds. This relates both to keeping your distance and avoiding contaminated surfaces because the more people the more those common surfaces get touched.
Keep Surfaces Clean
One key element of information we don't know about COVID-19 is how long the virus can survive on surfaces. But we do know that the virus is susceptible to disinfectants. Here are some cleaning tips.
- Use the right product. According to the CDC, diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common household disinfectants should be effective against the COVID-19 virus. See the CDC's environmental cleaning and disinfection recommendations.
- Use the product right. First, clean dirt off the surface then wipe the surface with a disinfectant. Leave the surface wet with the disinfectant for as many minutes as the product instructions require. The contact time with the disinfectant is what kills the germs.
- Frequently clean high-touch areas such as door handles, phones, remote controls, light switches, and bathroom fixtures. As well as horizontal surfaces that include countertops, kitchen tables, desktops and other places where respiratory droplets could land.
- Do not reuse disinfectant wipes on multiple surfaces. This can transfer germs from the used wipe to other surfaces. Use one wipe for each surface and then throw it out.
Developing these habits now will reduce the risk of cross-contamination in your home or business and is a good long-term strategy for keeping safe and healthy. Get in touch with ServiceMaster Restore if you need more information or if we can provide peace of mind by cleaning and disinfecting your home or business.