03/15/2020
Minimize disease spread
The COVID-19 virus has hit the world by storm. It has spread in many countries within the three months time we first identified this disease. Fortunately, young children appear to be the least at risk for developing symptoms. There is the unknown potential for children to still carry and spread the disease Unfortunately, those people in their 60’s and higher are getting sick and make up the majority of the fatalities from this virus in which we are still trying to figure it out its behavior. I have come up with ten tips for you to follow in order to help keep this illness from getting you and family and co-workers sick.
1. Keep your hands to yourself. Do tot touch what other people have touched; doorknobs, coffee pots, microwaves, handles, fountains, buttons etc. the list goes on. If it is not yours, don't touch it. It is also best to avoid handshakes. Fist bumps should be ok, or just nod to acknowledge each other. Just say, “I am not shaking hands to avoid spreading disease.”
If you have to move about, use a barrier to come in contact with these items. A paper towel, tissue or napkin is socially appropriate. The use of disposable gloves may also be needed. Make sure you take them off without touching the outside. If you come up short, use your sleeve as a barrier, or open doors with your arm, shoulder or backside.
2. Clean surfaces frequently! Cleaning at the end of the day, is not enough to minimize disease spread during the day. We cannot expect the cleaning services crews to do it all. Pitch in and be responsible for cleaning your work areas. After all, you benefit the most. Cleaning solutions with bleach, Lysol brands, and other cleaners listed as a “disinfectant” will work. Follow the directions for use. Don’t forget your vehicle steering wheel, shift lever and all of the buttons you frequently touch in your vehicle. Cell phones and keyboards too too!
3. Physical distancing. The absolute minimum distancing between people must be 3', (like standing in line at the store). If you really don't want to catch your neighbor’s germs, then stay 6' away. At home, give each person their own toothpaste. Do not share one tube with the family. Tooth brushes should also be separated.
4. Follow respiratory etiquette. Sneeze or cough into your elbow, shoulder or tissue. Then throw the tissue away!
5. Avoid anyone that is sick. Period. If someone is actively coughing or sneezing within 6' of you, move.
6. 6 If you are sick, stay away from others. Do not go out to public places. Even at home, keep your germs to yourself. Use tissues and then discard immediately in a lined trash container. Avoid touching things that are common in the house. Sick people should stay in their rooms, rather than hanging out in common areas to avoid spreading the disease. Here is your chance to be waited on.
7. Stock up on the things you need. Prepare to be self-sufficient for at least two weeks without having access to stores. If u do become ill, the quarry time time is 14 days. The time will go by much better if you have coffee, creamer, and dinner each night. Don't forget needs for junior, Fido and fluffy. Check your medicine cabinet and first aid kit too and get them up to date. Get your cleaning supplies now too before they run out.
8. Open windows! Give your place a chance to air out after being cooped up all winter. Now is also a good time to do a good spring cleaning! Dust, wash all bedding, mop floors and shampoo your carpets. Clean the windows, pet areas and bathrooms! You will feel better in a clean house and reduce germs building up.
9. Take care of yourself and spend time in fresh air. Go out for a walk, play in the back yard, go to a quiet park (avoiding groups). You will be less likely to be exposed to germs, and the fresh air will make you feel good. Your body and mind will thank you. Avoid large gatherings or events for now.
Eat some fruits and veggies-make sure to wash them well! Keep hydrated. Consider nutritional supplements. Let's do what we can to make our bodies healthy, so we are ready to fight it off if the virus comes near us.
10. Keep things in perspective. The media is going to report every piece of news on this and repeat it frequently. Give yourself a break from constant media bombardment. Get your information from scientific sources and outlets that inform, not hype. Yes, you should know what is going on. Two times a day is more than enough to check the news. The flu is just as great a risk.
I believe we have become complacent over the past 30-50 years. We have made it acceptable to work when we are sick; go out in public when we are sick, and we spread disease. How many of us have gone to work with a cough, sniffles or even fever because of job requirements? How many of us have sent their kids into school sick because we had to go to work. With all of this hype about washing our hands, how many of us can honestly say we have been washing our hand as recommended for the past five years?
This is a wake up call for us to do a better job at protecting our health and the health of our community and population. Time to get back to basics. Wash your hands. Stay home if you are sick. Maintain space. Avoid crowds. Don't be scared; get prepared!
My company, Code Pinke Crisis Planning is offering a 4-hour program on how your workplace can get ahead of this. This is a tabletop exercise to work with your companies management team and review this current situation and have a plan that will help the company with what steps are needed to be implemented and when or why. Please checkout my website: www.codepinke.us
Melissa Pinke, D.S.c.
www.codepinke.us According to FEMA, 50% of small businesses do not pull through a major crisis. While there is much information out there on what to do for emergency preparedness, there is little guidance on how to do it or the details to make it work smoothly. For the past fifteen years, our focus has been on helpi...