They say prevention is better than cure, more now than ever! With the coronavirus pandemic spreading, it is important to take every preventive measure possible. The transmission of this virus mainly spreads from person to person through tiny droplets that float in the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Other than direct contact with an infected person, any surfaces or objects around an infected person can also play a role in transmitting infection.
As we are all facing lockdown, we still go out to buy essential items like grocery, fruits, veggies and medicines. If you work in the essential goods and services industry, you must be going out every day. So you need to be more cautious than others. Here are a few ways in which you can sanitize your home to stop the spread of the virus, in case you were to bring it home.
1. Disinfect ‘High Touch’ Objects and Surfaces Frequently:
- Any household cleaners containing at least 70% alcohol are good for disinfecting door knobs & handles. Just spray & leave for 5 minute to kill germs.
- Commercial cleaning products can expose you & your family to toxic chemicals so kitchen countertops and other objects made of glass or wood can be cleaned using undiluted white vinegar. Just clean the counter with a clean cloth & spray enough vinegar to leave the countertop damp and air dry. Baking soda mixed with water can also be used to create a mild abrasive cleaner for greasy spots and stains on marble. However, a warm soapy solution will also work on such surfaces.
- For switchboards and electric devices, you can make your own vinegar solution to clean. Just mix 2 parts white vinegar, 1 part rubbing alcohol and 1 part hydrogen peroxide. Spray this solution onto a cloth or paper towel and wipe switches and other electrical devices. For mobile phones you can use 70% alcohol based solution & apply it to your phone using a microfiber cloth.
- For cars and its interior, any alcohol based cleaner or soap water can be used. Never use any kind of bleach, ammonia based products or hydrogen peroxide as it can damage interiors made of plastic & vinyl.
2. Practice Segregation: Keep things like wallets, currency, bags, footwear and other things like keys & debit cards which you usually carry outside separate from other things.
3. Disinfect Immediately: Once you enter home from the outside, immediately wash your hands, change your clothes and disinfect the mask you used. If the mask is made of cloth, wash it thoroughly. Make sure the person handling such clothes should wash their hands too.
4. Don’t Share If You Care: Do not share linens like handkerchiefs, towels, utensils and other intimate things with other family members.
5. Don’t Touch Your Shopping Bags and items you shop if you really don’t need them immediately or use them only after disinfecting. Fruits and vegetables can be used after washing under a cold water stream (& scrubbing with a brush for some vegetables) or by soaking them in water & vinegar mix for a few minutes. Use ½ cup vinegar for every 2 cups of water. Salt or baking soda mix water can also be used for reducing bacteria & pesticides.
We still don’t know how sunlight, heat or cold can affect its survival time. But hopefully, as time passes, experts will learn more about the spread and transmit of COVID-19. Meanwhile, try to be proactive about sanitizing to give yourself the best shot at avoiding and spreading it.
For more prevention tips and articles on coronavirus, check out healthy reads. You can also tune in to GOQii Play for LIVE classes by experts.
Stay Home, Stay Safe and #BeTheForce
