You’ve been stuck at home for weeks—no trips, no visitors. And then… the toilet breaks. The dishwasher makes a loud noise. The sink leaks. Or, like us, you wake up to a total internet blackout. You need help from the outside.
While we all try to be self-sufficient, there will come a time when you have to let someone in. Sure, you can learn a lot from YouTube and a few basic tools, but if DIY isn’t an option, you’ll need to prepare for a guest or two.
Here’s what you should know:
- **Assume everyone is infected**, even if they look healthy. Many people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic or contagious before showing symptoms.
- **Keep your distance**. Social distancing is one of the most effective ways to prevent transmission. Get everyone out of the house if possible.
- **Minimize airborne particles**. SARS-CoV-2 spreads through the air, and it can stay suspended for up to three hours. Ensure good ventilation and keep the area as open as possible.
- **Disinfect surfaces** regularly. Viral particles can linger on surfaces for hours or even days, so clean everything that might have been touched.
- **Be cautious with feces and shoes**. These can be potential vectors for the virus. Have a plan to manage these risks if you want to be extra careful.
- **Discuss safety protocols beforehand**. Make sure the person knows it's for their safety too. Be clear, kind, and firm.
This advice comes with some important notes. First, many people feel offended if treated like they’re carrying a disease, even if it's for their own good. Handle the situation delicately but firmly. Second, these strategies are not foolproof. The best way to stay safe is to avoid letting strangers into your home altogether.
**Breath: Yours and theirs**
The main way the virus spreads is through the air. A study in *The New England Journal of Medicine* found that SARS-CoV-2 can survive in the air for up to three hours. So, controlling the air quality in your home is critical.
Here are steps you can take:
- **Stay as far away as possible**. Keep at least six feet apart, ideally more. If possible, leave the house while the worker is inside.
- **Masks are essential**. Everyone in your home should wear a mask, and your guest must also wear one. N95s are ideal, but any cloth mask helps reduce spread.
- **Improve ventilation**. Open windows, use fans, and consider running an air purifier with a HEPA filter to reduce airborne particles.
- **Limit time spent together**. If the visitor is in your home, keep them there for as short a time as possible. After they leave, wait at least three hours before re-entering the space.
**Surfaces**
After the air, surfaces are the next concern. Virus particles can land on tables, doorknobs, and floors. Once the guest leaves, clean everything they touched with a disinfectant like bleach, rubbing alcohol, or Lysol.
**Feces**
Though less common, fecal transmission is still a possibility. If guests use your bathroom, make sure to clean and ventilate it thoroughly after.
**Shoes**
Shoes can carry germs from outside into your home. Encourage guests to remove their shoes or use disposable shoe covers. If that’s not practical, spray the soles with a disinfectant before they step inside.
**Putting It All Together**
Here’s a sample routine to follow:
1. Talk to the service provider about safety measures before they arrive.
2. Close off unnecessary areas, open windows, and set up fans.
3. Leave the house during the visit or lock the door and leave a key.
4. Provide disinfectant and ask them to clean their shoes before entering.
5. Offer a mask and remind them to wear it.
6. Arrange payment without direct contact.
7. Stay away from the house for at least three hours after they leave.
8. When you return, wear a mask and clean the entire area.
9. Wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
This may not always be feasible, but following these steps can significantly reduce risk. While nothing is 100% safe, combining these measures can give you peace of mind. Stay smart, stay safe.
Foshan Gruwill Hardware Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.zsgruwill.com