22 ways Covid-19 can sneak in your home
Find out how the potentially fatal virus becomes past security - and how to stop it.
The frightening thing about viruses, in particular Covid-19, is that they can sneak into our body without notice, even if we practice many guidelines recommended by government health agencies. "We all learned many times on social distancing and handwashing to stay healthy at this epidemic of Covid-19", explainsCharles Sutera, DMD, FAGD. "But there are a few horses of Trojans that could still bring the virus into your home."
We have asked some of the best experts in the nation for a glimpse of some of the less awaited Novel Coronavirus ways can slip into your home and advise you on how to prevent it from happening.
Of you
The easiest way to bring coronaviruses to your home leaves your home! The reason why theDisease control centersSocial distancing encourages is because the most common way of Covid-19 spreads is via a person to a person through tiny droplets. Whenever you leave the house, you risk contacting the new coronavirus and bring it home with you. If you have to go, be sure to follow CDC suggestions - stay at least 6 meters from the others, practice hand hygiene, regularly disinfect surfaces regularly and wear a fabric face mask.
Others
Your best friend, grandmother, housekeeper and all handyman have all a thing in common: they could carry Covid-19 and be asymptomatic or not yet come out symptoms. So, just because they believe they are completely healthy, it does not mean they are - and leave them in your home endanger your family. "When Covid-19 spreads in your area, everyone should limit close contact with individuals outside your household in interior and outdoor spaces," urges theCDC. "As people can spread the virus before knowing that they are sick, it's important to stay away from others when possible, even if you have no symptoms."
Your products
That you get your grocery store yourself or have delivered them,Dana Hawkinson, MD, an infectious disease specialist in the University of Kansas health system, warns that they could be contaminated by COVID-19. "Most people know how to wash or disinfect their hands when they leave the grocery store, but many of us do not think about sanitizing the objects we buy," he says. Dr. Hawkinson says it's a good idea to wash fruits and vegetables. What is the best way to do it? TheCDCsimply encourages washing products under running water.
Other food packages
When it comes to other foods, Dr. Hawkinson points out that, although there is no way no evidence of transmission of groceries, you should not take a chance. "Wipe the containers before using them," he calls.
Your phone
When you are outside the house, you may want to avoid shooting all your phone. Think about it. You remove your phone to the store to show an image or look at your grocery list. Someone sneezes. Your phone could become contaminated. WhileSharon Chekan, MD, an emergency medicine doctor with Yale medicineTips offered previously on how to completely clean your phoneShe suggested doing several times a day - she also encourages you to keep your phone yourself. In addition, "If you are out of the house and you do not know if your phone is clean, you must use the phone speaker or Bluetooth devices to avoid placing the phone near your face until You can wipe it as indicated as indicated. "
Contaminated surfaces
At random, Covid-19 was pushed into your home, whether by a person or person - do not forget to disinfect the surfaces he could have come into contact. "Community members can practice routine cleaning of frequently affected surfaces (for example: tables, door handles, light switches, handles, offices, toilets, faucets, sinks and electronics with household cleaners andEPA registered disinfectantswhich are suitable for the surface, according to the label instructions. The labels contain safe and efficient use of the cleaning product, including the precautions you need to take when applying the product, such as the port of gloves, and make sure you have good ventilation. The use of the product, indicates the CDC.
Mail or packaging
Although the chances of contamination via delivery boxes are minimal, it is better to be sure that by sorry, exhorts Dr. Grimes. "Yes, this virus can live on surfaces (including cardboard), so it's always prudent to wash your hands after manipulating another person who is transmitted to you," she explains. However, "keep in mind that the contents of your envelope or that the packaging you receive will not be infectious because they have been in the mail for days, it is the outside that can be contagious S 'It has viable droplets, "adds Maria Vila, do, a family medicine specialist in Morristown, New Jersey and Medical Advisor forEMEDIHEALTH.
Anyone at your door
While most people do a great job of remembering the six-foot rule during the public, the easiest way to bring this virus into your home is to forget this rule when your doorbell rings, emphasizesJill Grimes, MD, a family doctor certified by the Council for the health services of UT Austin and author ofThe Ultimate Student Student Health Manual(May 5, 2020, Skyhorse Publishing). "When we open our doors before, if the person who sounded the bell did not fall by six feet - boom - there is your potential exposure," she says. If you can, opt for a contactless delivery or indicate that they need them to keep their distance. "Think twice before opening this door and ask the person to pay for their delivery and recoil."
The ATM
Although most of us probably do not work in the bank these days, the ATM may seem like a safe alternative. After all, it does not require any human interaction. However, before starting to type your PIN code, you may want to consider the fact that many other fingers have touched these keys before you. According tostudiesThe ATM and credit card terminals are covered with germs. "Online bank whenever possible", encourages the CDC. "If you need to visit the bank, use the glass guide if you are available. Clean the ATM keyboard with disinfection wipe before using it. When finishing, use a hand disinfectant with at least 60% alcohol . Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you come home. "
The gas pump
If you are not careful at the gas station, you can power more than your car with gas - theCDCWarning that Covid-19 could hide on the pump, buttons and touch screen. "If available, use gloves or disinfecting wipes on handles and buttons before touching them," he suggests. "After powering, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when you come home or somewhere with soap and water."
Your pet
After the news that the bronx tiger has tested positive for the new coronavirus, the experts encourage the public to keep their cats in a small inside when isolation of oneself. The British Veterinary AssociationsaidThat animals "can act as fomits" -Objects which can become contaminated by infectious organisms - and that the virus could live temporarily on their fur, then pass on to someone who caresses it. "For pet owners who have COVID-19 or self-insulating isolate, we recommend keeping your cat inside if possible during this period," BVA said in a statement. "The virus could be on their fur in the same way it is on other surfaces, such as tables and handle handles."
Your used gloves
Although many people wear gloves with cloth masks at the store, they can do more harm than good and some experts have unnecessarily. "I do not see any point in the port of gloves," saysJoseph Vinetz, MD, a specialist in infectious diseases of Yale's disease. "We still have to wash your hands and we are not infected by touching things," he says. For example, that you wear gloves or not and do not come into contact with the virus, if you touch your face, the result will always be the same. Even more, is that if you turn them down incorrectly, you could contaminate your hands with the virus.
Your mask used
Using a cloth mask in public, as suggested by theCDC, can help stop the propagation of COVID-19. However, unless you use it correctly, you can also broadcast the virus to you. The government agency recommends regularly cleaning your fabric mask in the washing machine. In addition, they explain that it is crucial that you correctly remove the mask and practice hand hygiene. "Individuals must be careful not to touch their eyes, their nose and mouth when removing their faces and wash your hands immediately after removing," they say.
Your children
It can be difficult for young people to understand why social distancing is so crucial during the CVIV-19 pandemic. Maybe they are too young to understand the six feet ruler or just love to defy their parents instructions (where children like to do!) It is important to keep an eye on the age group under 18 years if we want to end the health crisis. "While the school is over, children should not have with children other playDate households in person. If children play outside their own home, it is essential that they stay six feet of all those who are not in their own home, "theCDCExplain. "To help children maintain social bonds while social distancing, helps your children have supervised phone calls or video cats with their friends. »
Your shoes
According tosome experts, COVID-19 can survive on the bottom of your shoe up to five days, depending on the material of your shoes and other factors, such as temperature. Although it has been reported no case of transmission of the virus this way, "keep your shoes in a separate place or wipe the bottom with disinfecting wipes when you come back from outside the house," suggests Leann Poston, MD , InvigorDical.com.
your nails
If you are a nail bite, there is no better time to quit, exhorts Dr. Sutera. "Bring your nails directly into the germs serves your body through your mouth and is detrimental to your teeth enamel," it. While we all know a minimum of 20 seconds is what it takes to wash your hands, it successfully adds that the washing of the hands is pretty ineffective for deep cleaning under the nails. "Our nails have crannies, and crannies, crevices that you can not clean effectively unless you use a small brush. It also helps keep your nails cut short, and clean under the soil periodically with manicure tools.
Your towels and sponges
When was the last time you swapping your sponges or your towels washed his hands? "When you go out in public, and someone coughs or sneezes, your natural instinct is to wash your hands and shower as soon as you come home," explains Dr. Sutera. "You get rid of the germs before coming into the house is an excellent strategy, but just remember the loofa, a sponge, the nail brush, and the towels you use all the expenses shown each time the germs you wash . These elements can become a mini epicenter of germs after some uses and germs to spread to you or other people in your home. "Be aware of sterilizing these articles regularly and changing them frequently," he suggests.
Your clothes
While our clothes is a barrier that prevents germs from reaching our skin easily, they do not collect a significant amount of germs in the material, says Dr. Sutera. "Make sure you wash your clothes frequently and avoid sitting on furniture or beds with clothes that have been exposed to public furniture. »
YOUR GLASSES
Dr. Vila points out that if you wear glasses or sunglasses, they could shelter your eyes from the virus. However, it is possible for virus particles to be landed on your glasses. "Consider disinfecting when you come home," she says.
Your Food Takeout
Although we want to support our local restaurants and there are no reported cases of COVID-19 transmitted by food, you should always be careful, warns Dr. Vila. "Before people get sick with COVD-19 and the symptoms of the experience, they are still very contagious, so it's impossible to know if the cook or the delivery person is sick, but does not know it yet and would have PU contaminated your food packaging, "she. For example, someone may have sneezed on your pizza box and the virus can live on cardboard up to 24 hours. "You have to wash your hands and be very careful after touching the box. »
your cash flow
It's not called "dirty money" for nothing. Dr. Poston advises pay for any electronics or using a credit card during the pandemic, just in case your money has been contaminated. "If possible, do not use the money! She educated.
Your scholarship
Many of us have a bad habit of putting our handbags in the bathrooms, on the basket, or while we pay. Because there is a risk of contamination, Dr. Poston strongly suggests leaving your handbag in a lobby, "so you can grab it that you leave and not bring it to the house or not Use a handbag while going on, she says. "Make sure you do not put a dirty handbag on a counter. »
And to cross this pandemic with your healthiest, do not miss these40 things you should never touch because of coronavirus.