COVID-19 is still around, in fact the New York Times reports the daily average of new COVID-19 cases this past week was 209,600. That’s 31% higher than the average recorded two weeks ago. The data is clear, we are still very much so in the middle of a pandemic with the United States now confirming more than 16.5 million COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. Cases are surging all across the United States so we would like to remind you of a few things you can do at your home to help combat the spread of this virus.

How COVID-19 spreads

In order to try and reduce the spread of COVID-19 it is first important for us to know how this virus is spread. According to the Center for disease control COVID-19 spreads easily from person to person mainly by the following routes:

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breathe, sings or talks.
• Importantly not all people who are infected will show symptoms.

What can we do to help reduce the surge?

Luckily the steps to help curb the spread of COVID-19 haven’t changed much since the beginning of the pandemic, if we put in practice these simple tactics we can all feel good about doing our part to help minimize the surge.

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or more, or two renditions of “Happy Birthday”, especially after you have been in a public space, handled goods, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
   1. If soap and water or not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Remember to cover all surfaces of your hand front and back and rub them together until they feel dry.
   2. It is also very important to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
2. Avoid close contact with people who are not members of your household. If possible, maintain 6 feet between yourself and other individuals.
3. Wear a covering over your mouth and nose when around others. Masks help prevent you from getting or spreading the virus. Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and went around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
4. Clean, sanitize and disinfect common surfaces frequently. For ex.
   1. Doorknobs
   2. Countertops
   3. Appliances (refrigerator, oven door, microwave)
   4. Toilet handle
   5. Faucets and handles
   6. Etc.

These surfaces are touched often and should be disinfected frequently. Other, more obscure surfaces and items should also be cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected but perhaps less frequently. Those include:

1. 1. Toys
   2. Luggage/handbags
   3. Credit cards
   4. Keys: House/car
   5. Remotes
   6. Vehicle surfaces

You may also want to consider using professionals like the PROS at COIT that can help set a baseline zero and establish a maintenance program. Professionals can also use specialty tools like foggers and electrostatic sprayers that coat many hard to reach areas and ensure that the cleaning, sanitization, and disinfection were all thorough.

As more and more people around the world are inoculated against COVID-19 and we continue to move closer and closer to normal we all want to make sure that we have done our part and keeping ourselves and our families safe so we can move forward. Call a PRO at Coit Cleaning and Restoration today to help ensure your family stays healthy as we move into the next phase.