Health and Safety

With fall here and old man winter around the corner, flu and allergy season has sprung. Where usually us seasonal sufferers would know what to accept and what to stock the medicine cabinet with, we still known little about the coronavirus, and our leaders cannot predict what this fall/winter season may bring.

Like the flu, the coronavirus is believed to be viral and can be passed along touching surfaces covered with the virus.

As the latest news and social media reports, catching the flu virus this year is the least of people’s concerns with vaccinations available.

But what is to be excepted this season with the corona vaccinations in its early stages of development.

Will water, tissue, and hand sanitizing products fly off the shelves like the beginning of the (COVID-19), or are suppliers and pharmaceutical companies stocked and prepared?

Though health officials are working on a vaccination. News stations and health officials have been saying to take the same precautions as the flu, washing hands, disinfecting doorknobs, etc. But what harm comes with using these chemicals more frequently and inhaling them, I have wondered?

Anyhow, I will let the scientist do their job while practicing safe distancing and coughing etiquette.

Below are some ways I will practice to avoid contracting the flu, coronavirus, and anything else hanging around on home or public surfaces.

Proper Handwashing:

1. Turn warm to hot (add cold water as needed for children’s safety) faucet water on with one hand.
2. Wet hands
3. Add soap to wet hands
4. Lather both hands covering all areas including under the nails and forearm if able
5. Scrub for a minimum of 25-30 seconds (we say the alphabets in my home…26 letters)
6. Rinse under the warm to hot water (safe temperature)
7. DO NOT touch faucet knobs after washing hands
8. To turn the water off. Use a napkin, paper towel, and or toilet cover/paper to turn the water
9. Discard used tissue into the trash
10. Use a clean napkin or tissue paper if using a public restroom if there is a doorknob or pull to open the door
(wear gloves if able)

Parents may wish to demonstrate with smaller children the proper way of handwashing if your child will be returning to in-class sessions.

Coughing Etiquette 101

With allergy season here, coughing, and sneezing is sure to come as the leaves fall and, in some area’s snowfall.

And it may feel good letting it rip there is an elegant way to cough and sneeze.
Before letting loose, be considerate of those around you. Try having clean tissue on hand to cough or sneeze into to prevent spraying others nearby or the air.

Now maybe a great time to stock up on tissues before winter falls and spring bloom.

Look for soft tissues with aloe or lotion to protect the skin around the nose that will not irritate sinuses further. Try avoiding those tissues that can add to the problem that seems to come with dust bunnies (lent particles).

The respectful way to cough and sneeze

Cover the mouth with some type of disposable cloth like a Kleenex; clean napkin, or paper towel, or cough directly into the inner corner of the elbow to avoid showering others. By all means, avoid coughing or sneezing into the hands. Doing so, then meeting surfaces others also will come in contact with helps the spread of viruses such as the flu and the coronavirus.

Home Tip

Try to schedule a time to wipe down commonly used surfaces like doorknobs, faucets in the bathroom and kitchen, phones, and computers if family members are in and out of the home.

Practicing these safeties can help reduce the spread of germs, viruses, and bacteria.

Health is Wealth! And safety practice keeps us safe!

Live to Win!

Dawn