How to Stay Protected from COVID-19 When Going Out in Public

The rampant spread of Covid-19 has caused major upheavals in daily life across the country. Grocery shopping, going to work, and eating at restaurants are just a few ordinary activities that now require extraordinary safety measures. But even as states are now beginning to open up, it is still important to take safety precautions when going out.

Here are some tips to stay safe amidst the coronavirus pandemic:

Maintain Physical Distance

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) urges people to continue to maintain a six-foot distance from others when in public. Therefore, it is highly people shall refrain from places like a hair salon or the dentist – professionals who see several people in a day close-up.

Physical distance is also especially critical when others are coughing or sneezing. People nearby can inhale respiratory droplets contaminated with the coronavirus and other particles, thereby become infected.

Avoid Crowds

Large gatherings make it impossible to maintain physical distance. During the pandemic, it is important for people to avoid attending concerts, dining in at restaurants or going to the movies—places where it is likely to come into close contact with a person infected with Covid-19.

Restaurants

Even though state and local governments are gradually starting to reopen the service industry, it is still safer to order takeout food from restaurants. Supporting local businesses from an appropriate physical distance during this health crisis keeps them in operation and helps people feel a sense of normalcy.

Sports Stadiums

The stadiums in which people watch sports games are currently off-limits to fans. Discussions continue for every sport with the goal to reintroduce spectators to the games. Until creative strategies are implemented, view sports games from the comfort of home.

Wear a Face Mask

Cloth face masks should be worn in public. Some counties mandate that people wear face masks when maintaining a six-foot distance is difficult, while others recommend it.

Since Covid-19 symptoms may not appear until 2 to 14 days after contracting the virus, people may be unaware that they have the disease. Working like a splash guard, wearing a face mask prevents asymptomatic people from spreading the coronavirus. Physical distancing still requires wearing a face mask.

Avoid Touching Your Face

The novel coronavirus gains entry into one’s respiratory system via the eyes, nose, and mouth. Touching surfaces that are contaminated with the coronavirus, and then touching one’s face, can transmit the virus into the respiratory system and lead to infection.

SARS-CoV-2 remains viable on varying surfaces for different lengths of time:

• Plastics: 2-3 days
• Cardboard: 24 hours
• Stainless steel: 3-5 days.

Consequently, everyday objects, like doorknobs, handles, and light switches, can be contaminated.

Wash Your Hands Often

Touching everyday items is inevitable during the course of an outing, making washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds a beneficial step. Prevent spreading of the coronavirus by scrubbing your hands with soap and water. The virus will no longer have the capacity to infect human cells.

When soap and water are unavailable in public, a generous amount of hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol is an effective substitute. Also, clean hands after sneezing or coughing into them. Upon handling a face mask, be sure to clean and sanitize your hands immediately.

Use Elbows and Knuckles

Out in public, people may find themselves needing to press touchscreens or buttons, or pull open a door. Rather than expose one’s hands to potentially contaminated surfaces, utilize knuckles to press buttons and extend a shirt sleeve to wrap around the door handle.

Utilize Vehicle Services

While driving less is common during the pandemic, keeping the car maintained is still a necessity. Newer cars with more onboard computers suffer from “parasitic battery drain”. Therefore, you should drive your vehicle on the highway at least once a week to keep your battery charged.

You can get light maintenance for your vehicle in dealerships or lube shops. Some places perform an oil change or other routine services as the driver sits in the car.

Get gas during off-peak hours. While at the station, use disposable gloves when handling the pump. If gloves are unavailable, paper towels near the gas pump are alternatives. Use disinfectant wipes to wipe down the credit card keypad before using it.

Shop Efficiently

Grocery shopping should be done quickly and efficiently. Rather than gingerly browsing the aisles, find necessary food items and exit the store. Limiting one’s time in commonly frequented public places can decrease the risk of catching the coronavirus from asymptomatic people. It is also a courtesy towards everyone who has to wait outside before entering the store.

When shopping for groceries, avoid touching the produce with bare hands. Instead, place hands into the store-supplied plastic bags and use them as a gloves to handle the fruits and vegetables. This practice keeps everyone safe, while encouraging others to do the same.

Infections Continue to Increase

Covid-19 has spread across the globe, and the infection rates continue to spike upward rather than downward. Over 1.4 million Americans have contracted the coronavirus to date. Consequently, taking every precaution available is a must in order to protect oneself and others in public.

Staying protected in public starts with infection control at home. A cleaned and disinfected home and work environment is crucial to limiting the spread of the coronavirus. When you are ready for a commercial cleaning and disinfection, consult a disinfection cleaning professional.

A team of trained technicians will clean and disinfect every high touch spot in your home or business, including doorknobs, light switches, touch screens, faucet handles, and keyboards. They provide thorough coronavirus disinfection services to keep the occupants in your home or business safe.

These specialists use EPA-approved cleaning products for disease control, and are experienced in cleaning biohazards and various coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. Plus, these technicians are IICRC-certified and certified in microbial remediation.

During the Covid-19 outbreak, it is critical to maintain a hygienic home and business environment with disinfection services from a professional disinfection cleaning company. Regular coronavirus cleanings and disinfections are an important part of keeping you safe and protected.