COVID-19 has caused millions of deaths globally. The infectious disease spreads through respiratory droplets. When infected individuals sneeze, cough, laugh, or talk, they release the viral particles into the surrounding. In case the droplets reach an uninfected person, the person is likely to contract the disease, thus developing its symptoms in about five days. Besides, a person can catch the disease if they touch an infected surface and then touch their nose, mouth, or eyes.
Top strategies of containing the spread of the virus are based on minimizing contact with the droplets or killing the virus in the droplets. Therefore, apart from physical distancing, other central measures should be adopted. For instance, in a workplace, each employee should have some essential hygiene items to aid in curbing the spread of the virus. Key hygiene items for staff include a sanitizer, face mask, cleaning wipes, facial tissues, and hand gloves.
1. Hand Sanitizer
Apart from cleaning hands using soap, sanitizers containing a specified percentage of alcohol are recommended for hand disinfection. Unlike water, ethanol evaporates relatively fast, leaving the hands dry and virus-free. Alcohol-based hand rub can eliminate up to 99.9% of the coronavirus. Interestingly, the sanitizers can kill or inactivate many other disease-causing viruses and bacteria. However, the formulation must have a concentration of alcohol above 65%.
Although many sanitizers have the required concentration of alcohol, low concentrations may be ineffective. On the other hand, high concentrations may be harmful to the skin. Therefore, it is prudent to purchase a quality sanitizer.
Many sanitizer manufacturers pack the product in pocket-sized bottles, which are convenient to carry. The bottles are portable, thus can be carried in a suitcase or a handbag. Evidently, alcohol-based hand rubs are among the cheapest ways to improve hygiene in the workplace.
Handling the alcohol-based hand rub should be based on the manufacturer’s specifications. Consequently, it should be stored away from children, sunlight, and heat. In case you refill your bottle, it is advisable to clean it before the process.
2. Hand Gloves
Although many people do not advocate for hand gloves in COVID-19 prevention, they have a role to play. Glovers form a barrier to viruses and other germs. There are instances where gloves are necessary. For instance, if you are cleaning or disinfecting working surfaces, it is advisable to wear gloves. Some surface cleaners may contain irritating substances. Additionally, when caring for COVID-19 patients, gloves are part of the personal protective equipment.
There are some precautions to keep in mind when using latex hand gloves. Consequently, you should adhere to proper glove usage procedures. For instance, you should take care when removing gloves to avoid contaminating your hands. Besides, proper disposal is critical in mitigating the spread of coronavirus. It is wise to keep using proper hand washing and sanitizing procedures besides glove-wearing.
3. Face Cover
Face masks or covers can significantly reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus. Many health regulation bodies globally advocate for face covering for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Masks are essential when an individual is in a gathering of people. Since you are likely to meet and interact with many people at your workplace, it is prudent to have a face mask.
Coronavirus is mainly spread through infected droplets. By wearing a mask, you reduce the chances of inhaling the viruses. Besides, a good face mask or an antiviral face mask will reduce the droplets you shed to the environment if you are infected, thus reducing the risk of spreading the virus.
It is advisable to wear an FDA-approved mask, such as KN95. A good mask should cover the mouth and nose adequately. Besides, wear the masks consistently for effective cover.
4. Facial Tissues
Facial tissues are a must-have hygiene item. The item is ideal for any workplace. Since the facial tissues are disposable, they reduce the likelihood of spreading the viruses transmitted by respiratory droplets. When facial tissues are used, they should cover the mouth and nose well. Besides, they should be discarded appropriately to avoid exposing others to the virus. Fortunately, facial tissues are relatively cheap to acquire.
5. Cleaning Wipes
Cleaning wipes are central in maintaining hygiene at the workplace. You can spray a detergent on your working desk and wipe it with a paper towel. On the other hand, you can use a microfiber cloth to clean your desk and cabinets. Wiping your desk and cabinets with a detergent or paper wipes containing alcohol will keep the coronavirus at bay. The advantage of microfiber cloths over paper wipes is that they are reusable.
COVID-19 has significantly changed the workplace dynamics. Consequently, there are some new requirements that each employee should have to help mitigate coronavirus spread. Apart from physical distancing, some essential items include an alcohol-based hand rub, face masks, facial tissues, and cleaning wipes. The spread of COVID-19 in the workplace will be significantly reduced by having these items.
