In March-April 2020 all of us came through acute stress period. By now the panic has come down considerably. Nevertheless, speaking about the end of pandemic would be running ahead. There is still a threat of getting the virus due to negligence. While relaxing, keep alert to avoid taking SARS-CoV-2 home and protect yourself and others. Our families, relatives and friends are especially exposed to the risk, as they are daily in close touch with us.
The vital thing to remember about the virus persistence on surfaces is that they ought to be cleaned with common household disinfectants, which destroy the virus. The exposure time depends on composition and is provided in instructions. According to the recent research, COVID-19 lifespan may last up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, less than 24 hours on cardboard and less than 4 hours on copper.
Life-threatening coronavirus research results allow to estimate, that SARS-CoV-2 is susceptible to heating: 20 minutes at 60° C or 3 minutes at 75° C are sufficient to destroy COVID.
Novel coronavirus is inactivated with UVC-light in 15 minutes and with organic fat solvents and detergents in a few minutes.
So how can pharmacists protect themselves and their families?
Ideally, all the surfaces (POS machines, coin plates) touched by customers should be cleaned after each client.
Find below the instruction how to don and doff PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). This instruction was developed based on Rush University (Chicago, the USA) video recommendations on how to use PPE.
In case of having goggles and gloves follow the sequence: gown-mask-goggles-gloves.
Additional precautionary measures
A pharmacy is not the only chance to get infected with novel coronavirus, so we mustn’t drop our guard in the street. In shops, public transport or taxi follow mask regime necessarily. If this measure has been introduced in your region, it should be followed in the street as well. It is highly recommended to have a sanitizer and wipes to safely open and close doors, wipe hands and belongings (bags, gadgets, keys) if needed. When entering a flat use a sanitizing wipe for door opening and closing to keep COVID-19 out of your home. Inform your homies not to come close and go to the bathroom. Wash hands with soap thoroughly for 20-30 seconds. Having a shower is all the better. After that sanitize the items, you touched before.
Take care of yourself, keep your family safe and be well. We wish to all of us and to our families to leave coronavirus behind.
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