PERSONAL SAFETY Safety Topics

How to Deal with the Coronavirus Safely

03.15.2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the United States. Many people are worried especially those caring for the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, or young children. With good cause. While the information around the web and in the media is often confusing, I think it is because the virus is so new (we first heard about it two months ago) and there are many things we don’t know about it yet. What we do know is that it is similar to other viruses, so we are not starting from scratch. There are several things we can do to prevent the spread of the disease on a personal level.

Hand Washing

Washing your hands frequently is the single best defense against the coronavirus and many other diseases. Washing with soap and warm water for 20 seconds is ideal. Wash often. And repeat.

Cover Your Cough

This basic courtesy is another means of preventing the spread of the virus. This should go without saying, but you should be covering your coughs or sneezes all the time. The place I tell my kids to do it, is into their sleeve or elbow which can wrap around your mouth when you sneeze. Fun fact, air travels about 100 miles an hour when you sneeze and each sneeze can send 100,000 germs into the air.

Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is another very good option to prevent infection. While not as effective at killing a virus as washing with soap and water, it is often more readily available. You can carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you, while lugging soap and water around is not so practical. Use it frequently for the best results. Hand sanitizer has an added benefit – it tends not to cause dry hands as much as frequent washing.

Respirators or Masks

There was a run on respirators early in the outbreak. The problem is that the most popular mask, the N95, which blocks 95% of airborne pathogens, needs to be fit tested by a health or safety professional to be effective. If not fit-tested, then it is not nearly as effective if at all. Masks bought off the shelf are much more effective at stopping the spread of infection if the wearer is the one who is sick as it covers their coughs and sneezes. If you have an N95 mask, make sure to have it fit tested.

Gloves

Disposable nitrile gloves have gotten less attention, but are becoming more popular. Gloves pose a distinct challenge if not used properly. Gloves get infected the same as hands. Disposable gloves are entirely that, disposable. When used in the medical or industrial industries, they are used once for a particular task and then thrown away. They are not worn all day or from job to job. The reason is that pathogens that may be present on the gloves can be spread from contact with the gloves. In order to protect yourself while wearing gloves, make sure to use them once and then toss them out. If you wear them while shopping, make sure to toss them out after shopping. You don’t want to infect your car, home, or face with a dirty glove!

Goggles

There was misinformation shortly after first hearing about the coronavirus that the virus had the tendency to spread through the eye. Safety goggles have since been shown to not be an effective means of preventing infection.

Hazmat Suits

This is extreme. I don’t think anyone really wants to walk around like Dustin Hoffman in Outbreak. I sure hope it does not come to that. Hazmat suits and protective clothing work similar to N95 masks, they must be fit tested and completely sealed to be effective. Hopefully, you’re not one of the unlucky ones that must don a hazmat suit in a coronavirus infected area. But, if you are, God bless you and your work.

Safety Glasses VS COVID-19

Frequently Asked Questions About the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

How did the coronavirus start?

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) was tracked back to mid-November of 2019 in the Wuhan area of mainland China. It was found to be most prevalent in a meat market where it first spread.

How to prevent coronavirus?

The primary means of stopping the spread of COVID-19 is social distancing, which is limiting your travels and proximity to others. It is spread like other viruses so frequent hand washing, hand sanitizers, and covering coughs and sneezes are other very good ways to prevent infection.

How is coronavirus transmitted?

Coronavirus is spread through the air and it can remain live on surfaces for up to 10 hours or more. If an infected person sneezes or coughs without covering it others can be at risk or if they touch a surface and someone touches it and then touches their face without washing their hands they are at risk

Where is the coronavirus in the us?

As of March 16, the coronavirus has been confirmed in 49 of 50 US States, West Virginia, being the lone state without a confirmed case. Washington currently has the most cases followed closely by New York. North Dakota and Alaska have the fewest confirmed cases.

Why is it called coronavirus?

A coronavirus was first discovered in the 1960s. They are aptly named for the crown-like spikes on their outer surface. Corona comes from the latin word meaning crown.