Five Items Every Family Must Have to Run Essential Errands.
by Tom Patterson
1. KN95 Mask or Surgical Mask.
N95 respirators and surgical masks (face masks) are examples of personal protective equipment that are used to protect the wearer from airborne particles and from liquid contaminating the face. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also regulate N95 respirators.
It is important to recognize that the optimal way to prevent airborne transmission is to use a combination of interventions from across the hierarchy of controls, not just PPE alone.
2. Disinfectant Wipes.
Recommend the use of EPA-registered household disinfectant external. Follow the instructions on the label to ensure the safe and effective use of the product. Many products recommend:
Keeping surface wet for a period of time (see product label)
Precautions such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during the use of the product.
Diluted household bleach solutions may also be used if appropriate for the surface. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.
Disinfectant wipes containing alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol.
3. Hand Sanitizer.
CDC Statement for Healthcare Personnel on Hand Hygiene during the Response to the International Emergence of COVID-19
CDC recommendations reflect the important role of hand hygiene in preventing the transmission of pathogens in healthcare settings for a wide range of pathogens. The ability of hand hygiene, including handwashing or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers to prevent infections is related to reductions in the number of viable pathogens that transiently contaminate the hands.
Hand washing mechanically removes pathogens, while laboratory data demonstrate that 60% ethanol and 70% isopropanol, the active ingredients in CDC-recommended alcohol-based hand sanitizers, inactivates viruses that are genetically related to, and with similar physical properties as, the 2019-nCoV.
While the exact role of the direct and indirect spread of coronaviruses between people that could be reduced by hand hygiene is unknown at this time, hand hygiene for infection prevention is an important part of the U.S. response to the international emergence of COVID-19.
CDC recommends the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol as the preferred form of hand hygiene in healthcare settings, based upon greater access to hand sanitizer. Health care providers who use alcohol-based hand sanitizers as part of their hand hygiene routine can inform patients that they are following CDC guidelines.
4. Medical Gloves.
Medical gloves are examples of personal protective equipment that are used to protect the wearer and/or the patient from the spread of infection or illness during medical procedures and examinations. Medical gloves are one part of an infection-control strategy.
Medical gloves are disposable and include examination gloves, surgical gloves, and medical gloves for handling chemotherapy agents (chemotherapy gloves). These gloves are regulated by the FDA as Class I reserved medical devices that require a 510(k) premarket notification. FDA reviews these devices to ensure that performance criteria such as leak resistance, tear-resistance, and biocompatibility are met.
What you should know before using medical gloves.
Wash your hands before putting on sterile gloves.
Make sure your gloves fit properly for you to wear them comfortably during all patient care activities.
Some people are allergic to natural rubber latex used in some medical gloves. FDA manufacturers to identify on the package labeling the materials used to make the gloves. If you or your patient is allergic to natural rubber latex, you should choose gloves made from other synthetic materials (such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nitrile, or polyurethane).
Be aware that sharp objects can puncture medical gloves.
Always change your gloves if they rip or tear.
After removing gloves, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub.
Never reuse medical gloves.
Never wash or disinfect medical gloves.
Never share medical gloves with other users.
5. At Home COVID-19 Test.
There are laboratory tests that can identify the virus that causes COVID-19 in respiratory specimens. State and local public health departments have received tests from CDC while medical providers are getting tests developed by commercial manufacturers. All of these tests are Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase (RT)-PCR Diagnostic Panels, which can provide results in 4 to 6 hours.
How to get tested:
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want to get tested, try calling your state or local health department or a medical provider. While supplies of these tests are increasing, it may still be difficult to find a place to get tested.
Currently, there are no approved FDA at home COVID-19 test kits.
CDC expects that widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the United States will occur. In the coming months, most of the U.S. population will be exposed to this virus. You should continue to practice all the protective measures recommended to keep yourself and others free from illness. There are some government-approved tests that are awaiting FDA approval from South Korea and Hong Kong.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to find out when items like these become available.
