Containing the Virus at HOME

This is part FOUR in a series of posts regarding suggestions for limiting the spread and likelihood of contracting the covid-19 virus.

As a Registered Nurse and Clinical Consultant to hospitals and Nursing Homes, I have been trying to determine what I can do to be of help during the current pandemic. One way I think I can be of help is to share with you what my family and I are doing in our home to contain this virus. The following are in no way meant to replace the advice of the foremost experts from the CDC. They are simply what we are doing and are meant to be a starting point for discussion. Always follow the CDC guidelines here: https://www.cdc.gov/ as they are the experts on infectious diseases.

In this series of posts I will take an area of the home and share the precautions my family and I are currently taking to reduce the likelihood of viral spread.

Here is a list of areas to be covered:

Entry to home (covered in previous post March 19, 2020)

Kitchen (covered in previous post March 19, 2020)

Bathrooms (covered in previous post March 20, 2020)

Common Areas (covered in previous post March 21, 2020)

Laundry Room/Area

Bedrooms

Keep in mind that despite the fact that family members may not be showing signs or symptoms of the virus, they may still be contagious. Therefore it is important to ensure we all observe infection control measures.

Here are recommendations for the Laundry Room/Area: Obviously this is an area where contaminated “dirty” clothing is located. It is particularly important that laundry be properly handled and washed.

1. Remove all “dirty” (this can be from someone who is known to have the virus or simply from previous wear) clothing and place in basket designated for “dirty” linens ONLY.
2. Change pillow cases every few days and launder as usual. (Each person should be using his/her own pillow and not share.
3. Launder Common Touch items such as towels
4. Launder “dirty” linens in your regular laundry detergent. This is adequate to kill the virus.
5. Wipe down the “dirty” laundry basket with Lysol or bleach wipes/bleach 1:10 solution daily or when visibly soiled.
6. If anyone in the home is showing symptoms of the virus or has a confirmed case, keep all linens, food, utensils separate from the rest of the family. Launder clothing separately and use disposable dishes and utensils. If at all possible a known infected person should have separate sleeping, bathroom, trash and eating quarters.
7. If you do not have a laundry chute, have a separate “dirty” linen basket in each person’s bedroom.
8. When laundering “dirty” linen, avoid allowing “dirty” linen to touch the clothing you are wearing.
9. Wash hands and/or hand sanitize after handling “dirty” linen.

These are the things we are doing in our home to prevent infection and do our part to prevent the spread of this virus. Let me know your thoughts and any other things you are doing to prevent spread.

Be safe, use science and logic and stay smart and consistent.

Roberta