There has been a significant amount of concern raised recently about COVID-19. This is a relatively recently discovered disease caused by a type of virus known as a coronavirus. A lot is still unknown about the virus and the disease that it causes, and this is causing some people a great deal of anxiety. Major conferences and events are being canceled, people are buying up supplies, and the internet is filled with memes teaching people how to wash their hands. We all need more information about cleaning for coronavirus. COVID-19 has the potential to be a serious illness. Here’s some info that can help you to protect yourself. Especially if you’re confused by some of the contradicting advice that you might have seen online.
What Is COVID-19?
Even though it’s mostly referred to simply as “coronavirus”, the virus that causes COVID-19 is actually a novel coronavirus. It’s been designated “SARS-CoV-2” and sometimes referred to as “2019-nCoV.” COVID-19 itself is a potentially severe respiratory illness that typically presents with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. While most people who become infected with COVID-19 recover, the disease can be severe and even fatal.
Early information shows that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes:
- Older adults
- People who have serious chronic medical conditions like:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Lung disease
If a COVID-19 outbreak happens in your community, it could last for a long time. Depending on how severe the outbreak is, public health officials may recommend community actions to reduce people’s risk of being exposed. The following steps will help you clean for coronavirus. However, they can also slow the spread and reduce the impact of the disease. Furthermore, if you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19, it is extra important for you to take action to reduce your risk of getting sick.
Decluttering to Prevent Illness
If you want to clean up to try and prevent coronavirus infection, a good first step is to declutter your home. This will eliminate surfaces where the virus could linger, making it easier to disinfect your home and keep it clean. Decluttering can also have a positive effect on mental health and anxiety levels. This can improve your overall wellbeing and even provide a small boost to the immune system.
Disinfecting Surfaces
The US Centers for Disease Control recommends disinfecting surfaces with regular household disinfectant wipes and sprays. Unfortunately, many of these have not been tested specifically for use against SARS-CoV-2. However, they are effective against some other common coronaviruses and are likely to at least reduce infectiousness if not kill the virus completely. Other household cleaners and disinfecting practices are also likely to be at least partially effective.
Handwashing Stations
One of the best defenses against COVID-19 is good handwashing practices. As such, make sure you have soap available by every sink and clean towels ready for use after washing your hands. Printing out a guide to proper handwashing and placing it near your sinks can also be a good idea. Especially if you have young children who are still learning how to wash their hands properly. If you have any, having hand sanitizer accessible for times when you can’t wash your hands is also helpful.
Don’t Panic
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that you shouldn’t panic. Don’t stockpile supplies that you don’t need. Buy sensible amounts of the things that you do need. Above all, take reasonable steps like avoiding large crowds and not shaking hands. One of the best ways to stay safe from COVID-19 is to keep yourself clean, keep your home clean and apply some common sense to your preparations for the disease. We hope these tips will help you clean for coronavirus. In the meantime, we are here for you if you need us.
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