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Things to do to protect yourself from Covid 19
Last year, during shutdown, I became Certified for Covid 19 cleaning through the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, a division of ISSA. ISSA is The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association for all types of cleaning businesses. I was taught the preventative responses, infection and contamination control measures for infectious disease outbreak situations. I learned proper cleaning and disinfection for health and wanted to share with you some of the things I learned, although many of these tips are widely known now.
First off, how to avoid it?
Social distance and don't shake hands. Do the air hand shake. Your hands can touch your face and transmit through your mouth, nose and eyes. Also, no worries about insects, they cannot transmit it to you. Interesting fact from my class--did you know that 80% of infectious diseases are spread by hand contact. If you have any cuts on your hands put bandages on as well.
How does it spread?
Basically it spreads the same way that flu, colds and strep throat do-through the air. According to my GBAC course, it has not been shown to spread by HVAC systems. From the EPA website: "By itself, air cleaning or filtration is not enough to protect people from COVID-19." Although, it is definitely a good idea to open your windows for a bit of fresh air, if you have had groups of people in your home.
Be sure to go to the CDC website for updates on this ongoing pandemic-unfortunately.
This is from the CDC website:
"COVID-19 is spread in three main ways:
Breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus.
Having these small droplets and particles that contain virus land on the eyes, nose, or mouth, especially through splashes and sprays like a cough or sneeze.
Touching eyes, nose, or mouth with hands that have the virus on them."
Here is a breakdown of how long the virus can stay on surfaces, quoted from my GBAC class:
COVID SUSCEPTIBILITY TO PHYSICAL INTERACTION
Sensitive to heat 140 degrees for 30 minutes
UV Radiation for 60 minutes
SURVIVAL IN ENVIRONMENT:
4 days in diarrhea, undiluted urine and feces
60 hours in soil or water
More than a day on hard surfaces like glass and metal
48 hours on plastic surfaces
Does not survive well after drying on paper, but lasts longer on disposable, compared to cotton or gowns.
COVID is an envelope virus at the bottom of the Pathogen Chemical Resistance and is the most easiest to kill."
How to prevent, any virus?
Make sure to use a mask and wash hands. Make sure your mask does not get wet, as the virus will stick to it when wet. That is the time to replace it. Remove it by the edges and wash your hands, and all the creases, for at least 20 seconds, although 30 seconds is better. Also, the US Food & Drug Administration has shown there is not enough science to show that over-the-counter antibacterial soaps are better at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water. This only covers antibacterial soaps and body washes that are used with water. It does not apply to hand sanitizers or hand wipes or antibacterial soaps used in health care settings.
Cleaning is the only prevention for COVID19 on surfaces, and can reduce the spread of contagious viruses by up to 80 to 90 percent! Everyone should have a disinfectant at home to keep surfaces clean regularly, like door knobs, light switches and any high touch surfaces. Be sure to check the the EPA website to make sure your disinfectant is listed to kill COVID19. Plus, make sure to read the dwell time on your disinfectant. Follow the directions for it to be most effective. Here is the link to look up your product: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2
Please see these websites below for more in depth information:
Thanks for reading and stay safe everyone!
Kristi Nelson
Owner of Kristi Klean
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