Life under coronavirus means staying at home as much as possible — but you’ll likely need to make a trip to the grocery store or pharmacy at some point. Download the following into your mind to avoid bringing corona germs back into your home with you.
Make a game plan
- Designate one person to be your errand-runner to limit your outside exposures.
- Set up a disinfecting station — an area outside your home or in a room with low foot traffic where you can disinfect packaged food.
When you’re out
- Avoid coming within less than six feet of others.
- Wipe handles on carts or baskets while shopping.
- You don’t have to have gloves or a mask — just wash your hands frequently while you’re out and avoid touching your face.
When you get back
- Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Disinfect takeout boxes and packaged foods at your disinfecting station.
- Thoroughly wash produce before putting it in your kitchen.
Disinfect
- Disinfect everything you touch — doorknobs, light switches, keys, phone, keyboards, remotes, etc.
- Use disinfectants (i.e. Dettol, rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer) and leave surfaces wet for 3-5 minutes.
Delivery
- Ask workers to drop deliveries off on your doorstep or an area of your complex.
- If they need you to come to the door, keep six feet of distance.
- Pay and tip online when possible.
- After you pick up mail from your mailbox, wash your hands.
Laundry
- Wash clothes, towels and linens regularly on the warmest setting.
- Disinfect your laundry hamper, too, or place a removable liner inside it.
- Don’t shake dirty laundry to avoid dispersing the virus in the air.
Guests
- You shouldn’t allow guests over right now.
- If you need to house a family member or friend, avoid shared living spaces as much as you can.
- If they need to enter shared living spaces, ask them to keep six feet of distance.
If someone in your home gets sick
- First, consult your doctor.
- Isolate them in another room and ask them to use a separate restroom.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces every day.
- Avoid sharing items with them.
- Wear gloves when washing their laundry.
- Continue to wash your hands frequently.
- Ask them to wear a face mask if they have one.
Supplies you’ll need
- Disinfectants!
- If you don’t have disinfectants, make a bleach solution:
- Mix four teaspoons bleach per quart of water; or
- Use a 70% alcohol solution.
- Laundry detergent.
- Trash bags.
- Prescription medicines.
- Canned foods — fruits, veggies, beans.
- Dry goods — breads, pastas, nut butters.
- Frozen foods — meats, veggies, fruits.
Pets
- Supervise your pet in your backyard.
- It’s OK to play with them outside — just keep your distance from other humans.
- If you’re sick, ask someone you live with to take care of them while you recover.
- If you must care for them while you’re sick, wash your hands frequently.
Now that all your needs have been covered, please stay home and be responsible!
