Keeping Safe through the COVID-19 Pandemic

Safety for each of us depends on all of us following safety guidelines. That has never been more true than now. The information on this page comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There is a critical difference between COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses: With most respiratory viruses, people are thought to be the most contagious when they are sick and exhibiting symptoms. With COVID-19, there have been reports of spread before people exhibited symptoms.

The CDC maintains a FAQs page to keep the public informed.

KNOW HOW IT SPREADS

• There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
• The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
• The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about six feet).
  • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Patients with confirmed COVID-19 ranged from having little to no symptoms to mild to severe respiratory illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and can include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

The Arizona Poison Control System is now available to take COVID-19 calls from Arizona providers and the general public: 1-844-542-8201

GENERAL SAFETY MEASURES

Clean your hands often.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.

Stay home if you’re sick except to get medical care. Visit the CDC site “What To Do if You Are Sick” for more guidelines if you are sick.

Cover coughs and sneezes.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
• Throw used tissues in a lined trash can.
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

Wear a facemask if you are sick.

Note: During a public health emergency, facemasks may be reserved for healthcare workers. You may need to improvise a facemask using a scarf or bandana.Clean and disinfect.

• Clean and disinfect, daily, all surfaces that are frequently touched. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION

Get medical attention immediately if you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19. Emergency warning signs include:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

NOTE: This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

Regarding medical care, many medical visits for routine care are being postponed or done by phone or telemedicine. If you have a medical appointment that cannot be postponed, call your doctor’s office, and tell them you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the office protect themselves and other patients.

Home isolation: For those who have been in home isolation, the CDC offers guidelines on how to discontinue home isolation.

KEEPING THE WORKPLACE SAFE

Encourage employees to do the following:

Practice good hygiene.

• Stop handshaking – use other noncontact methods of greeting
• Clean hands at the door and schedule regular hand washing reminders by email
• Create habits and reminders to avoid touching their faces and cover coughs and sneezes
• Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks, and handrails regularly
• Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning

Be careful with meetings and travel.

• Use videoconferencing for meetings when possible
• When not possible, hold meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces
• Consider adjusting or postponing large meetings or gatherings
• Assess the risks of business travel

Handle food carefully.

• Limit food sharing
• Strengthen health screening for cafeteria staff and their close contacts
• Ensure cafeteria staff and their close contacts practice strict hygiene

Stay home if they are feeling sick or if they have a sick family member in their home.

KEEPING THE HOME SAFE

Encourage family members to do the following:

All households:

• Clean hands at the door and at regular intervals
• Create habits and reminders to avoid touching their face and cover coughs and sneezes
• Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, and handrails regularly
• Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning

Households with vulnerable seniors or those with significant underlying conditions:

Significant underlying conditions include heart, lung, kidney disease; diabetes; and conditions that suppress the immune system

• Have the healthy people in the household conduct themselves as if they were a significant risk to the person with underlying conditions. For example, wash hands frequently before interacting with the person, such as by feeding or caring for the person
• If possible, provide a protected space for vulnerable household members
• Ensure all utensils and surfaces are cleaned regularly

Households with sick family members:

• Give sick members their own room if possible, and keep the door closed
• Have only one family member care for them
• Consider providing additional protections or more intensive care for household members over 65 years old or with underlying conditions

KEEPING COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS SAFE

Encourage employees and customers to do the following

Practice good hygiene.

• Stop handshaking – use other noncontact methods of greeting
• Clean hands at the door, and schedule regular hand washing reminders by email
• Promote tap and pay to limit handling of cash
• Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks, and handrails regularly
• Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning

Avoid crowding.

• Use booking and scheduling to stagger customer flow
• Use online transactions where possible
• Consider limiting attendance at larger gatherings

For transportation businesses, taxis, and ride shares:

• Keep windows open when possible
• Increase ventilation
• Regularly disinfect surfaces

TO DISINFECT
Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface. Visit the CDC’s “Clean & Disinfect” page for complete information.

Options include:

Diluting household bleach. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.

To make a bleach solution, mix:

• 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
  OR
• 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

Alcohol solutions. Ensure solution has at least 70 percent alcohol.

Other common EPA-registered household disinfectants. Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).