Remember spring 2020 and scrubbing all your grocery items when you got them home? For many of us, that seemed like an utterly tedious but necessary protocol when COVID was new, and nobody — not even the world’s top scientists and doctors — seemed to know how the novel virus spread.
While the virus, unfortunately, is still prevalent today, we have more information on how it is transmitted. (primarily by respiratory droplets that are passed from one person to another) — as well as how it is not transmitted. (Transmission via surfaces is much less common, for example). Health officials advise that getting vaccinated and wearing a mask is the best thing to do. They also recommend avoiding social situations, keeping your distance, and maintaining good hand hygiene.
Maintaining a clean home, or even hiring an experienced pro if you can — will help to reduce the risk and give you peace of mind in this challenging time. This can also help to establish lasting hygiene habits, which can keep contaminants and other potential hazards away from children, older people, and others in your home.
Dr. Jeanne Breen is a physician and researcher in infectious diseases who works as a biotech/biopharma consultant at Old Saybrook, Connecticut. “Disinfecting surfaces in your house on a regular schedule, especially high-touch surfaces, is a simple step you can take to protect your family against COVID-19.”
Air transmission is the primary concern, but surface droplets can transmit the virus. It is easy to protect your family by regularly disinfecting surfaces at home, especially those frequently touched.
She says that disinfecting surfaces and COVID will also help prevent the transmission of other pathogens like viruses that cause colds or the flu. This is of particular concern now that school has resumed.
According to cleaning and medical experts, there are eight areas that you should pay extra attention to during the COVID outbreak. And none of them involve scrubbing down your groceries.
The air
Settles quickly out of the air, so entering a room is not a significant risk after a guest has left the morning. If you share a house with people who have been exposed, keep the air as fresh as possible.
A home air purifier that is inexpensive can be helpful. Breen says air purifiers are useful in certain situations. For example, they can be beneficial if you suffer from allergies and purchase a cleanser that removes allergens. Air purifiers alone are not enough to protect people from SARS-CoV-2. However, they can be combined with other methods, such as masks and social isolation.
Dr. Javeed SIDDIQUI, an infectious diseases physician, co-founder, and chief medical officer at TeleMed2U in Roseville, California, reiterates that air purification is part of a more comprehensive approach. He says that air purification can be used with other practices, such as social distancing, masks, and other recommendations from the CDC and public health agencies.
High-touch surfaces
Consider the surfaces in your home where you have the most hand contact throughout the day. And make sure to clean them often. High-touch surfaces are door handles, railings, faucets, handles on appliances, counters, remote controls, and TVs.
Breen advises, “Use an EPA-approved disinfectant that is not a sanitizer and is listed on the EPA List N. This list contains the disinfectants approved by the EPA for use against COVID-19.” Many people do not know that while a sanitizer can reduce the number of bacteria, it cannot kill 99.9%. Therefore, “disinfectant” means the power to kill germs is stronger. The EPA’s list N only includes disinfectants, not sanitizers.
The word “disinfectant” means the power to kill germs is more substantial.
Your tech tools
You may not think to disinfect the tech tools you use most frequently throughout the day. We touch our phones several times daily, in the store, at the doctor’s, or while waiting at the checkout.
If you work at home, ensure your keyboard, mouse, desktop, or laptop are regularly cleaned. Dean Davies is a cleaning specialist for Fabulous Cleaners. The company has offices in Australia, the U.S.A., and the U.K.
Any outside material
Any item brought into the house from the outside can pose a risk of exposure. Consider leaving your shoes outside the front door for COVID and as a part of your household safety protocol.
Consider this: Having a shoe-free home is popular among families with infants. Remember that their hands crawl all over the floors where shoes tread.
Your car handles
The same applies to your vehicle. It’s essential to clean it often, at least the handles and high-touch surfaces. This is because they are the first things you touch as you leave the office or pick up your kids from daycare.
Masks
Remember to wash your masks every day. They are vital for keeping you and your family protected. , according to the CDC, reusable covers should always be cleaned when they become dirty. The CDC recommends throwing away a disposable mask after only wearing it once. Always wash your hands when handling or touching an old show.
Breen emphasizes the importance of washing clothes after every use. She says that some pathogens can survive for up 12 hours on fabric. It makes sense because a cloth mask is exposed to sweat, saliva, and makeup.
Some pathogens can survive on fabric for up 12 hours. It makes sense, given that a cloth face mask is exposed to sweat, saliva, and makeup.
Woody says that face masks for single use should be handled carefully. He says that paper masks must be removed using freshly washed hands. Remember, the virus can be transmitted by touching your facial area. The cover should be rolled up and secured with ear straps to ensure it is not undone. Wrap the mask with a tissue and throw it away in a paper-filled trash can.
Clothing, towels, and sheets
Breen cites the guidance from the CDC that recommends that linens be washed in the hottest possible water and dried thoroughly. She adds that you should regularly spray your hamper with disinfectant and wash your hands after handling dirty laundry.