The Mayflower Community, a 70-year old senior living and healthcare facility in Grinnell, Iowa, has provided extensive information to its residents about dealing with COVID-19 (the coronavirus).
Although there have been no diagnosis of COVID-19 in Iowa at the time of this writing, Mayflower has been taking measures to be prepared. In fact, rather than hold an all-residents meeting, the information was shared via email, mail, and handouts. We are avoiding as many large group gatherings as we can.
Mayflower has always practiced outstanding universal precautions, a method of infection control recommended by the CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). These procedures demand that all human blood, certain body fluids, and fresh tissues and cells are handled as if they are known to be infected with HI, HBV, and/or other blood-borne pathogens.
This training has been intensified. In addition, stores of protective supplies have been enhanced in order to be prepared for extreme infection control.
The Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting that the COVID-19 risk to Iowans is currently rated as “low.” The virus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing. This means that the air will not infect you. BUT, all the surfaces where these droplets land are infectious for about a week on average. You will not be infected unless your unprotected face is directly coughed or sneezed into or unless your hands pass it into your nose, mouth, or eyes.
In the Mayflower Community, a number of everyday preventative actions are being recommend. Included are:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time (“Happy Birthday” ♫ twice). Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Suspend hand shaking for now. Use a wave, fist bump, elbow bump, slight bow, etc.\
- Practice “Social Distancing,” that is, keep a six-foot bubble between you and other people when possible.
- If possible, cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and discard. Use your elbow only if you have to. The clothing on your elbow will contain infectious virus that can be passed on for up to a week or more!
- Use ONLY your knuckle to touch light switches, elevator buttons, etc. DO NOT use the bottom of a cane to activate automatic door opener buttons.
- Open doors with your closed fist or hip. Do not grasp the handle with your hand, unless there is no other way to open the door. This is especially important with bathroom and public building doors.
- Use disinfectant wipes at stores when they are available, including wiping the handle and child seat in grocery carts.
- Regularly clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces, including your cell phone. (Regular household cleaning agents are effective.)
— Bob Mann, Sales & Marketing Director
