5 Ways to Avoid Contamination in a Pandemic
Updated: Mar 1, 2021
This pandemic is very serious business. Learn 5 Things you can do to prevent getting contaminated.
1. WASH YOUR HANDS
I thought we'd start by addressing the enormous elephant in the room. Although this may sound simple washing hands is a very effective way of avoiding contamination. The biggest way germs get around is through the hands. Do you know how many things you've touched today? If you had a nickel for everything you've touched today you'd probably be a billionaire right? Exactly, so washing your hands, and doing it often is the most important thing we can do.
It is advised by the CDC that you should put hand soap on your hands and scrub for at least 20 seconds, and then rinse your hands in clean water right after and make sure you remove all the soap. Finally, dry your hands effectively, and repeat this process frequently throughout the day.
Also, whatever you do, don't touch your face... Please.
2. Wear Masks and Gloves
If you just got out of being stuck in ice for 20 years the biggest change you'd see will not be that you can't find Von Dutch trucker hats anywhere it'll be that everyone wears masks and gloves now. It's starting to become the new fashion. Aside from this, masks also help you to prevent coughing, sneezing, breathing, or spitting on other people. This is very important, as this is also one of the most effective ways the virus spreads. The gloves prevent you from touching anyone directly if you happen to have the virus, as well as protects your hand from touching things that have the virus.
3. Avoid Touching Touchable Things
I'm sure your starting to see a trend going on here. We've covered equipment you can use to protect yourself. But this one is more of don't touch things you would normally touch with your bare hands. Maybe carry a few tissues around to prevent touching door handles. If you don't have those on hand, substitute your hand for your arm that way it'll be less likely to spread.
Some things to avoid touching with your bare hands :
Door handles
Public hand sanitizers
Sink knobs
Books
Other peoples desks, chairs, and armrests
Other peoples phones
Pencils
Cups
Plates
Eating utensils
and more, you get it.
4. Carry Hand Sanitizer 80% or more
Most hand sanitizers on the market kill the virus but a few have emerged that don't. WHO and CDC recommend that people use a hand sanitizer that is strictly 80% ethanol or above. Below this percentage, it does not kill the virus.
Just be careful with the kind of hand sanitizer you use. To find out if yours does the job, check the ingredients on the back.
5. Sanitize your workspace
Last but certainly not least, sanitize your workplace. It is always helpful for your safety and for others to always be sanitizing your workspace. Some great products to help with this are
Clorox disinfecting wipes
Lysol Brand All-Purpose Cleaner
there are more but make sure it kills SARS.
