A novel strain of coronavirus was quick to generate headlines across the globe with its alarming rate of transmission.  The world came to a standstill with economic downturn, businesses winding up and people’s movement curtailed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Leading organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Centres of Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) have put forward their best efforts to help people maintain good health and hygiene levels with tips and advice to keep COVID-19 away from your home.  

By now it is well known that the Covid-19 virus spreads primarily through human transmission. A person can easily get infected by inhaling respiratory droplets in the air from an already infected person's cough or sneeze. That alone is good reason behind governments mandating social distancing measures and the wearing of masks; these simple measures will make a huge difference in winning our battle against Covid-19. 

Studies have also unveiled that the virus can spread from touching things and surfaces already contaminated and then going on to touching the face, eyes, nose, or mouth.  One sure way to avoid virus transmission from surfaces is by cleaning them with a solution formulated for Surface disinfection that builds an active protective layer on hard surfaces.   

Here is what we know so far about protecting yourself and your family from the spread of the bacteria and viruses, especially Covid-19.  

How Can Surfaces Be the Reason for Virus Transmission?

Studies have shown that the COVID-19 virus can remain on the surface for hours, and even days. 

Researchers led by Dr. Vincent Munster of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) studied how long the virus remains in the air and also on surfaces. The findings published on March 17, 2020, in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus remained active on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for two to three days under the conditions in the experiment. It remained infectious for up to 24 hours on cardboard and four hours on copper.  At the same time, the virus was detectable in aerosols for up to three hours. The researchers recognised that these times will vary under real life conditions, depending on factors like temperature, humidity, ventilation, etc.  

The results suggest that people may inhale SARS-CoV-2 through air droplets and also after touching objects contaminated by an infected person. The findings underscore the importance of hand washing and the need to disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. While the cleaning of surfaces can be done with regular household cleaning sprays or wipes, we can only eliminate cross contamination by disinfecting surfaces with antimicrobial protectants. We must also clean floors with a strong disinfectant floor cleaner to avoid catching the infection that ‘walks along with you’ in your home.  

Extensive regular cleaning of our homes will also help reduce the possibility of contracting any other bacteria and germs. When someone at home is sick, you must quickly disinfect all surfaces the infected person had touched, especially switches, doorknobs, his/her mobile phone, countertops and even remote controls. 

Here are the best tips for disinfecting your surroundings:

• Always wear disposable gloves while cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or any area at home
• Clean dirty surfaces using a mixture of soap and water first, and then disinfect the surface with a Surface disinfectant solution
• Ensure adequate ventilation in the areas where you are sanitizing the surface 
• Ensure that you read and understand the instructions printed on the label of the Surface disinfectant spray bottle
• Avoid using an expired product for sanitizing surfaces or your surroundings
• Always wash your hands when you are done with all the cleaning or sanitizing work 

Note: If you are touching something from outside of your home, or if you are picking up something from a non-sanitized surface, you should immediately wash or sanitize your hands to eliminate the chances of getting infected.

Keep Intruders & Coronavirus at bay

Has it ever occurred to you that an outsider could bring the coronavirus into your home? Well, this is something serious that homeowners need to pay attention to. 

According to experts, gatherings are one of the major causes behind the rapid spread of the Covid-19 virus. Dr. Enguld explained that whenever a visitor comes by, he/she might bring the virus into your healthy home.  

If a person gets affected by the virus by chance, it will take a few days to feel the symptoms. There are cases in which a person infected by Covid-19 remains asymptomatic, never realising that he is infected.  He would thus unknowingly keep spreading the virus to others who come into close contact with him.  Thus, the importance of social distancing. In addition, it is highly recommended that you plan well for gatherings – from making a thorough list of your group of guests, asking your guests to turn up wearing masks, setting up a space that ensures social distancing, and sanitizing every surface of your house before and after the end of the get-together.

Is it possible for virus to sustain on your skin?

Yes, germs and viruses tend to live on different parts of our body. However, our hands are of primary concern. It is the only body part that comes in direct contact with infected surfaces. In all likelihood, we will touch our mouths, eyes, or nose with our hands, potentially increasing the transmission of many bacteria and viruses. Thus, washing and sanitizing our hands would work in our best interest and reduce cross contamination.

Cleaning and hygiene tips to keep viruses away!

Maintaining personal hygiene

• Avoid touching your nose, eyes, or mouth without sanitizing your hands
• Always remember to cover your mouth with your elbow while coughing or sneezing
• Use disposable tissues to avoid using them again if you are sick
• Keep a maximum distance from the people outside your home
• Never forget to move out of your house without wearing your mask
• Ask for immediate medical care if you or your family members feel any symptoms
• Do not forget to carry a hand sanitizer in your bag
• Wash your hands for almost 20-30 seconds with soap

NOTE: You must wash your hands after blowing your nose, sneezing, before putting up your mask, after removing your mask, before preparing a meal, before eating, before putting up makeup or putting on your contact lenses, before leaving your house and upon entering your home

Also, it is advised that we use a 60% alcoholic sanitizer. It would be best to use it in places where we do not have access to wash our hands.

Disinfecting your house

Apart from the regular disinfecting of the house, it is quite essential to use disinfectant floor cleaner to disinfect your house's surfaces from all the bacteria and viruses. It lowers the risk of you and your loved ones from getting infected by the novel coronavirus. 

You must follow the cleaning instructions on the bottles of disinfectant spray in Singapore. Make sure to take precautions like wearing disposable gloves and a mask while using them.

Clean surfaces which are mostly used or touched with a strong Surface disinfectant solution. Some of these surfaces are mobile phones, tablets, remote controllers, light switches, taps, doorknobs, and many more. 

Disinfecting clothes 

It is uncertain that the fabric of your clothes can sustain the virus or not. However, it is still important to take precaution. Thus, it would be best if you immediately change out of your clothes upon returning home. Also, make sure not to repeat your clothes the other day to avoid getting the infection, which might be lingering on your clothes. 

Here are a few tips which you must follow while doing laundry –

• Do not shake your clothes to avoid the dispersal of infection from your clothes.
• Make sure to wash your hands and sanitize them after putting your laundry in the washing tub. 
• Wash or disinfect your laundry bag or basket with a Surface disinfectant solution. 
• Wash your clothes with soap or detergent in the warmest water possible to get rid of the infection. 

Conclusion

Getting rid of the Coronavirus has become a tedious task not just the ordinary folks but also heath experts and doctors everywhere. Nonetheless, if we as responsible citizens are ready to make the necessary changes in our routine, there is no way COVID-19 can make its way to reach us. The hour's need is to use these tips in your daily life to protect yourself and your family from getting infected by this life-wrecking virus.  Stay safe, and stay healthy!