13 Tips For Homeowners During The Coronavirus
West Point Property Management: Homeowners are rightly concerned about the novel coronavirus pandemic currently spreading across the globe. Projections indicate that countries and regions that do not practice proper pandemic response techniques are much more likely to have their health systems overwhelmed.
Panic is out of the question, as we all need to remain calm and work together to make it through this awful scenario.
We also need to remain accurately informed. That means keeping our eyes on trustworthy sources of information, especially the CDC and the WHO. Unfortunately, there are several misconceptions about the novel coronavirus, which causes a respiratory illness known as COVID-19. Some individuals still believe, largely because of misinformation spread online, that the novel coronavirus is no worse than the seasonal flu. In reality, COVID-19 can be far deadlier than the seasonal flu. Others believe that it only affects the elderly, which is false.
While most people who are severely afflicted or killed seem to be the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, it is clear that almost every age group is under threat. Many outside the elderly and immunocompromised demographics have become sick, suffered severe lung damage, and even died. The rate of spread for the novel coronavirus is much worse than that of the seasonal flu, causes far more deaths, and has the potential to completely overwhelm health care systems worldwide.
This makes this the most serious public health threat in at least a generation. If the national health care systems become overwhelmed, people will unnecessarily die because there will not be enough doctors or hospital beds to care for them.
Every individual and family are necessary parts of the international effort to contain, mitigate, and fight this pandemic. This article contains some of the best coronavirus tips for protecting yourself and others in this difficult time. Every coronavirus tip is linked to further, verified information that you can turn to for additional advice.
Stay safe, be smart, and do your part to #FlattenTheCurve.
Combating Coronavirus: Tips for Homeowners
1. Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
Wash your hand regularly: The general rule of thumb is to sing the ABCs twice, but many songs, poems, and other tools have become popular. Believe it or not, these can really help you ensure you wash your hands for the proper amount of time. Failing to thoroughly wash your hands is a major danger during a pandemic. Make sure to wash your wrists, between your fingers, and under your fingernails, too.
2. Avoid touching your face as much as possible
Avoid touching your face: This is probably the primary way people contract the virus. This is because respiratory droplets from the infected (many of whom do not show any symptoms) land on objects and surfaces, which are then touched by others. People then touch their faces (especially their eyes, nose, and mouth), infecting themselves.
Unfortunately, touching our faces is something humans do without thinking all the time. If you do, do not panic. Simply wash your hands and try to remember to hesitate the next time. You can use tissues or other objects to touch your face if necessary, but make sure they are disinfected and clean.
3. Use hand sanitizer when you can’t wash your hands
Hand sanitizer needs to be used sparingly and carefully. You need to sanitize your whole hands, especially when you are not near soap and a sink.
4. Sneeze or cough into your arm or a tissue
This is more important now than at any point in most of our lifetimes. Coronavirus can live on some surfaces, like plastics and metals, for a few days. It can also survive in the air for a few hours. That means that we need to protect people as well as surfaces. Coughing or sneezing can spread respiratory droplets onto surfaces, into the air, and directly onto others, causing further infections.
5. Avoid sharing drinks or food
Avoid sharing drinks or food: The coronavirus passes largely through respiratory droplets and mucus membranes, meaning you can become infected by sharing food or drink with others. You can also unknowingly infect others if you have the virus without knowing it, as symptoms can take an average of five days to appear after you have been infected.
6. Practice social distancing
Social Distancing: It should not be underestimated how much social distancing can currently save lives and help prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed. This means only going out of the home for essentials.
Do not go to religious services, parks, retail stores, parties, or public events. Do not have get-togethers in your home or in others’ homes.
Many people who carry the virus are asymptomatic, meaning they show few or no symptoms but can still pass the disease along. Instead of getting together, opt for video and phone calls in both your business and personal life.
7. Avoid crowds
The CDC is currently recommending Americans avoid all gatherings with 10 or more people. This involves significant lifestyle changes for almost all of us. This is a difficult but necessary step for public health and national security. We need to ensure we are not placing ourselves or others in unnecessary situations where the coronavirus can be unknowingly passed along.
8. Stock your home with essentials
Don’t hoard supplies or take more than you need. This actually makes it more difficult for all of us. No matter what you stock up on, you will eventually need more. Hoarding creates a totally unnecessary strain on our supply chain and actually harms everyone.
But make sure you have nonperishable food, pantry staples, cleaning supplies, household goods, medicines, and first aid. Again, never panic. Panic does not help you. Instead, you must remain calm and rational to best ensure your safety.
9. Use conventional cleaning products to disinfect regularly used surfaces
Conventional antiviral and antibacterial cleaners, including Lysol, Clorox, other bleach cleaners, and soap, are effective in eliminating the virus if used properly.
Surfaces you should clean regularly include countertops, furniture, tables, chairs, keyboards, cell phones, remotes, and other surfaces that are often touched. It is a good idea to clean these surfaces at least once per day to lower the risk of their contamination.
10. Avoid at-risk individuals
At-risk individuals include people over 50, pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions. This means absolutely no physical contact until the situation is better understood and under control. This should go for all people outside your immediate household, but especially those who are at greatest risk.
11. If you must go out, practice social distancing
You can continue social distancing when outdoors by maintaining a space of six feet between yourself and others. Sanitize your hands as soon as possible. Limit time out by having groceries and other essentials delivered whenever possible.
12. If you think you may have coronavirus, do not go to the emergency room
The CDC recommends that everyone treat the disease at home unless they develop serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing. If this happens, call 911. Treating the virus at home whenever possible helps prevent spread to other, more vulnerable individuals.
Most people who get the virus will recover without hospitalization. Right now, what matters most is preventing the virus from spreading throughout the country and toppling our health care workers’ ability to care for patients.
13. Check on your neighbors — from a distance
Now is not the time to be in close quarters with your neighbors. But you should still use your phone, social media, email, and other methods for keeping in touch.
We need each other to get through this difficult time. In times of crisis, human beings are capable of truly amazing feats. Keeping up hope and solidarity, even when physically separated, is vital to helping us all navigate the difficult weeks and months ahead.
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