Facing yet another possible wave of the menacing COVID-19 virus, many people are worried about being infected. Not only do they wear masks when out, but many people stop going out altogether, fearing that they will accidentally bring the virus home.
But what do you do if you need to visit the doctor and want to protect your kids, family, or the chronically ill, even when you wear a mask and wash your hands?
To avoid the virus, you may wish to refer to the following 6 steps:
Step 1: Place outdoor shoes in a ventilated place
COVID-19 is mainly spread through close respiratory droplets or contact, so even if shoes are contaminated with the virus, the amount of the virus is very small. There is no need to disinfect your shoes every day. It is recommended to separate outdoor shoes from indoor shoes, change shoes at the door after returning home, and place outdoor shoes on the top of a shoe cabinet or other cupboard.
Step 2: Leave alcohol disinfectant at the front door and clean the doorknob, light switch, and your hands
Doorknobs and light switches are usually the first places touched after returning home. It is possible to have viruses left behind. It is recommended to put alcohol disinfectant next to the door. Clean your hands once you get home, and you should also clean the doorknobs and light switches.
Step 3: Take off your mask, fold reversely, seal, discard, or hang it in a ventilated place
You need to clean your hands before and after taking off your mask. After taking off your mask, you should fold it back into a sealed bag or dispose of it in a covered trash can. If you want to reuse it, hang it in a ventilated place or wash it if it is a cloth version.
Step 4: Hang your coat in a ventilated place
Coats and clothes that are not to be washed can be hung out in ventilated places such as a balcony or by an open window. However, if you just visited a hospital and you are worried about contacting or bringing the virus home, you can use alcohol or low-concentrated hypochlorous acid (about 100 ppm), soapy water for disinfection, or use ultraviolet light, iron, garment steamer, etc., for sterilization
Step 5: Take off your clothes and put them in a laundry basket
The clothes that need to be washed for the virus can be placed in a laundry basket. Usually, the virus sticks to the surface of the clothes and will not fly in the air. If you are worried, you can also put them straight into the washing machine.
Step 6: Disinfect personal belongings
You can use alcohol or hypochlorous acid disinfectant (HOCl) to clean plastic cards, mobile phones, watches, keys, and other personal items, and it is best to wash your hands and face again. HOCl is one of the non-toxic disinfectants noted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in COVID-19 to reduce transmission. It is an electrolyzed solution of non-iodinated salt and water.
Translated by Patty Zhang
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