The Coronavirus
By this point, most everyone has heard about the “novel coronavirus” and the accompanying disease it causes, Covid-19. The word, “novel” means “new,” so we are talking about a new type of coronavirus that we haven’t seen before. According to the CDC, common coronaviruses that circulate among humans usually only cause a mild to moderate illness, but this new virus causes a much worse illness. The coronavirus that causes Covid-19 spreads mainly from person-to-person, usually through respiratory droplets when someone who is infected sneezes, coughs, or talks. These droplets become inhaled into the mouths or noses of people nearby, especially if they are in close contact, within 6 feet or less. The virus can also live on different surfaces for up to a few hours, and when someone touches a contaminated surface then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth, they can become infected as well.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]With such an infectious virus, it’s important to stay safe protecting yourself as much as possible. There are plenty of tips out there on how to keep yourself and others safe while using protective equipment.
Personal Protection Equipment
During the pandemic crisis brought on by the novel coronavirus and the Covid-19 disease it causes, state and government officials are now increasingly counseling us to protect ourselves by washing our hands, using sanitizers, and most importantly, wearing a mask while we are out of the house. In order to stay safe, it’s important to get the right personal protection equipment or “PPE” as it is commonly called.There are plenty of ways you can protect yourself:
- Wash your hand often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially if you’ve been outside in public or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- If soap and water aren’t readily available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer that is at least 60-70% alcohol to kill viruses and germs on hands and surfaces.
- Avoid close contact with sick people. Some people without symptoms may spread the virus without knowing it so stay home as much as you can and avoid non-essential travel.
- Practice social distancing by keeping at least 6 feet away from any others if you go out in public—that’s about two arm lengths.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth mask when you’re around others or out in public, like the grocery store. The mask is for protecting other people in case you are infected (and possibly asymptomatic). Note that wearing a mask is not a substitute for social distancing. Studies show that masks combined with social distancing is best. Masks can be cloth, or you can purchase medical grade KN95/N95 masks.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes by using a tissue if possible or you can cough or sneeze into your elbow, not hand, and then wash your hands immediately.
- Disinfect and clean all frequently touched surfaces daily such as tables, doorknobs, switches, phones, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc. Using sanitizer wipes with at least 60% alcohol will work.
With protection being so important during this crisis, where then do you purchase personal protection equipment? With demand for these items being very high, you might find 1-2 items at one store but nothing else. Instead of running around to many different stores for the complete selection you need, you’ll want to get everything in one location from a reliable supplier. At Utah Packaging you can get thermometers, protective gloves, 3-ply disposable masks, face shields, KN95/N95 masks, hand sanitizer, sanitizer wipes, surface disinfectant, and more all at a single location. Visit packagingutah.com/request-a-quote/ to contact a sales representative, call 1-866-516-1205 or email info@packagingutah.com now.