4 Steps You Can Take to Prevent Coronavirus Infection in Your Home or Building

If you haven't heard the words "coronavirus" or COVID-19 by now, it probably means you've been living alone under a rock. Except even then, you would've likely have heard of coronavirus, specifically COVID-19, the virus that has over the past few months spread across the globe and has now been identified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The strain of coronavirus that is fast tracking its way across the globe is in no shape or form "just a flu", as touted by some who still believe the coronavirus is a hoax. There is a reason that countries and cities across the globe have called for their residents to isolate at home and have enforced shelter in place regulations, and that even hospitals are running out of face and surgical masks and vital medical PPE. COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease that is spread through droplets that can spread from coughing or sneezing.

The reason COVID-19 is so scary to scientists and doctors? Data has shown that carriers of the pathogen can be asymptomatic, meaning that someone who looks healthy and feels healthy can go up and about their day without even knowing that they are spreading the disease to someone else. Match that with the fact that the pathogens of the virus can stay on cardboard for up to 24 hours, on stainless steel and plastic for up to 3 days, and on other surfaces like copper for a couple of hours, means that someone could become infected by coming into contact with a surface that has the pathogen, and not even be near someone who is infected, is a dangerous quality. its ability to spread makes it a very dangerous disease. 

The best way to prevent the disease, and keep you, your family and friends safe and healthy, is by following CDC and WHO regulations. If you need some tips on how to protect your family from coronavirus, here are 7 steps you can take to protect your loved ones - and in turn the rest of your community.

1. Wash. Your. Hands.

Remember when you were a child, and your mom constantly and constantly reminded you to wash your hands? Well, she was doing it for a reason, and it was to prevent you from putting little icky germs into your mouth. The same principle still holds today, and it couldn't be more important now than ever to remember to wash your hands. 

Although hand sanitizer is running off the shelves of grocery stores and online such as Amazon like liquid gold, washing your hands is an even better method of getting rid of germs and pathogens like coronavirus. But remember, there is a right way to wash your hands.

The graphic below was created by WHO to advise on how to wash your hands. You can take a look below.

2. Social Distancing 

You may be thinking that we've already listed the obvious - of course we have to wash our hands, but what else can we do to protect ourselves? The next important step to protecting yourself and those you live with is by performing social distancing.

And although you may be groaning at the idea of social distancing, this is probably the most important and most effective way we will reduce the spread of the coronavirus pathogen. Because coronavirus is mostly spread through being in contact with others who are infected, the CDC and WHO recommends staying at least 6 feet apart from anyone you come into contact with. This includes in your home, when you go to the park, and when you go to the grocery store. It's necessary wherever you go.

Many cities have already created regulations such as "Shelter in Place" to reduce transmission of the disease from human to human contact, but remember that your actions are the most important. Stay a safe distance from anyone when you go out. 

3. Regularly Disinfecting and Cleaning Your Home

Some of us may live with someone who is older or someone who is more likely to face complications from becoming infected with the virus. If this is the case, we must take extra care to keep the home clean in order to prevent spreading the infection if you must go out of the home. If you are practicing social distancing in your home, it's also important to disinfect your house.

The CDC recommends the following list of EPA approved products to clean your home or building: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

It is important to clean the following types of commonly touched surfaces in your home:

• Counters 

• Tabletops 

• Doorknobs 

• Light switches 

• Bathroom fixtures 

• Toilets 

• Phones 

• Keyboards 

• Tablets

• Tables

If you are working in a space that has a lot of people coming through, such as a school, restaurant, grocery store, pharmacy, or doctor's office, it's important that the coronavirus cleaning services are executed throughout the building constantly and that coronavirus cleaning guidelines are being followed, as the moment someone who is infected comes through the building, it is no longer decontaminated. 

4. Do Your Laundry Often

With all the rules and precautions we must now take, it feels a little bit like coronavirus is payback from mother nature, who simply wants us to take better care of ourselves and do our chores. To prevent the spread of coronavirus, it's also important to do your laundry often. Why? The pathogens of the virus can live on the surfaces of clothing, and it cannot be cleaned the same way that non porous surfaces are cleaned. 

If any clothing has come into contact with someone who has a positive case of coronavirus, or suspected of coronavirus, the CDC recommends following directions on the detergent and clothing as instructed, and used the warmest temperature to dry the clothing, using gloves throughout the cleaning process. It can also be important to use bleach to completely rid the clothes of the pathogen if you would like to be safe, although this can damage your clothes. There are also companies that perform coronavirus laundry disinfection that can pick up your clothes to have it specially washed.

Stay Safe, And Practice That Social Distancing

Remember that if you or anyone you know is infected with COVID-19, or suspected of being positive, to contact your doctor and follow CDC regulations. For now, remember to practice social distancing, check in with a doctor by phone if you experience symptoms, and to wash your hands.