How to protect your home from COVID-19

As South Africa eases into a national lockdown it is still vital to protect yourself and your family from contracting the coronavirus. 

What is coronavirus?
Just to recap, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus. This deadly disease causes respiratory illness (like the flu). Symptoms include a cough, fever, and difficulty breathing. 

The coronavirus disease spreads through contact with an infected person when they cough or sneeze. It also spreads when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth. You can protect yourself by washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your face, and avoiding close contact (1.5 meter) with people who are unwell.

Here are some suggestions to keep your home safe from the coronavirus disease outbreak.

Clean regularly
Clean an area or item with soap and water or another detergent if it is dirty. Then, use a household disinfectant. A great disinfectant will have alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol. Ensure that the product is not past its expiration date and follow the manufacturer's instructions for application. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Keep the surface wet for several minutes to ensure germs are killed.

Clean frequently touched surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc. regularly. It takes hours for the virus to die from these surfaces. Safety precautions include wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during the use of the product.

In addition, soft surfaces such as carpeted floors, rugs, and drapes can be cleaned using soap and water or with appropriate cleaners. Leave them out in the sun to dry since at this time there is speculation that the virus cannot survive for a long time in higher temperatures. 

Wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds to kill viruses or bacteria after you have cleaned these surfaces.

Doing laundry
For clothing, towels, linens and other items you should wear disposable gloves when handling laundry. Wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you remove the gloves. Do not shake dirty laundry or hold it against your body. If you need to go out during the lockdown ensure that you remove your clothes before entering your main areas in your home.

Clean your hands often
Wash your hands every 30 minutes with soap and water for 20 seconds. Do not leave the tap running while doing so. Always wash your hands immediately after removing gloves and after contact with other people. If you do not have immediate access to soap and water then use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 70% alcohol.

Important times to clean your hands include:

• After blowing one's nose, coughing, or sneezing

• After using the toilet

• Before eating or preparing food

• After contact with animals or pets

• Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance (e.g. a child)

Food and utensils
It is advisable to handle dishes and utensils using gloves. In addition to this, wash dishes using gloves and hot water or use a dishwasher. 

Many supermarkets are still offering online shopping and delivery services. Ensure that you handle your shopping using gloves and do not make close contact with the delivery person. Rather have them place your parcel on a spot and when they are far enough then go to it. Don't forget to wash your hands after unpacking your groceries.

Caring for a sick family member
If a member of your family has fallen ill they should stay separated. Choose a room in your home that can be used to separate sick household members from those who are healthy. The ill person should eat (or be fed) in a separate room and use a separate bathroom, if possible. Try to clean the person's room as often as possible while taking necessary precautions for your own safety.

These are trying times for South Africa and the rest of the world. Your safety precautions will help flatten the curve and give us the courage and faith to get through this together.