JAMESTOWN – With the number of Coronavirus cases escalating nationwide, many people are worried about protecting themselves and their families from the disease.
Short of total isolation, good hygiene remains the most effective way to mitigate the spread of illness. This means regularly washing hands and disinfecting common areas in the home.
Experts recommend people wash hands with soap and water, scrubbing for a minimum of 20 seconds before rinsing them off. If soap and water aren’t available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60-percent alcohol.
Hands should be washed often, but especially after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Using the restroom, eating or preparing food and any contact with animals.
People should also avoid touching their face. Properly disinfecting your home and car is another way to combat the spread of illness.
High-traffic areas should be regularly cleaned, think kitchen counters, tables, light switches, bathrooms, doorknobs, handles and steering wheels. Use disposable gloves while disinfecting and discard them after use. Any surfaces that are visibly dirty should be washed with soap and water before disinfecting.
EPA registered products containing at least 70-percent alcohol should be effective for solid surfaces.
But what about laundry? Dirty clothes and linens should be cleaned using the hottest water possible, based on manufacturers’ recommendations and dried completely.
Clothes hampers should be disinfected, and again hands should be washed after handling dirty laundry.
And don’t forget about gadgets! Use alcohol wipes to clean phones, tablets and remote controls.
Make sure to clean the entire device, front, back, sides, buttons and protective cases.
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