Covid 19 Cleaning and Disinfection

Tips for Cleaning for Corona Virus

We’ve got some vital info below on the disease and how to control it. From soap to Covid disinfection foggers to UV light air duct system cleaners, there’s a lot we can do.  The hiring of cleaning staff is going to be a growing trend for US property management companies.

Keeping tenants safe is a top priority and a service they respect. Communicating with tenants is vital right now, and to do that consistently, you would use ManageCasa’s property management software’s tenant communications app.  Tenant communications became a big issue for landlords and property managers in 2020.

Estimated $5 Trillion Loss

$5 Trillion loss (estimated number will keep growing) in the US alone, and much more across the globe. What could be more important right now than Covid 19 disinfection given the disease is ruining our lives and threatens to go completely out of control?

It’s important to block all routes of Corona Virus infection as we head into flu season. Business owners and property management companies alike can play a big role in stopping this disease and perhaps reducing flu transmission as well, which could overload hospitals.

CDC Changes Their Original Belief

Experts, including the CDC disease medical authorities seem to be backing down on their original belief that the disease is transferred primarily via common touch surfaces people touch such as door handles, railings, chairs, tables, countertops, washroom areas, etc. Originally they said face masks were not a priority. Instead they’ve now focused slowly on airborne transmission of Covid virus particles.

And airborne transmission is a vexing challenge we’re all just becoming aware of.  This is a big threat in the fall season as people move indoors and share air spaces.

In this new context then, cleaning and disinfecting take on new meaning. Obviously interpersonal habits and social distancing are more important, such as with crowded elevators, access doors, classrooms, offices, buses, trains, lobbies, etc.

Let’s take a new look at some tips on how property managers and small business owners can better clean and disinfect, as well as communicate hygiene practices to tenants.

What Kills the Covid 19 Virus?

Ordinary, everyday soap is believed to be the perfect solution to kill Covid 19. It’s molecular structure destroys the virus.  The soap molecules act to break up the fatty outer layer of the virus into pieces or shards. However, it takes up to 20 seconds for the soap to do its work.

It’s recommended to follow up with further disinfectants or perhaps a Covid fogger to kill any remaining virus that could be in nooks and crannies in surfaces and under any organic material that could be smeared on surfaces.

Let’s Stop the Corona Virus 2nd Wave

Clean frequently. Use soap first and then clean with a layer of disinfectants for more lasting protection. Additionally, there are Covid Foggers and UV light disinfecting machines which clean surfaces and the air.

Air purifying ventilation systems will be in big demand this fall.

Cleaning the air is very important.  Using advanced air filters, air purifiers, and opening windows to allow fresh air will aid in the fight against Covid 19. Of course, wearing face masks is vital, especially for school kids.

Where Does the Virus Float and Then Settle?

The virus emanates from the upper respiratory system of persons and talking is likely the primary source of spread.

The virus can float and travel up to 12 feet or more and this is where the trouble likely is. The virus is more virulent and mobile than people want to believe. One prominent doctor, whom you can see in the Covid 19 disinfection post, says it can travel up to 27 feet.

We must be more aware of where the virus is likely to settle on surfaces and ensure we have soap or disinfectants clean and then remain on the surface to kill any additional particles that land there or are left on them (door handles, elevator buttons).

Disinfect All Those Common Surfaces

This is where the biggest gains can be had. If surfaces have soap/disinfectant on them, the virus will be killed, and not be transferred to the next person or child. High touch surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.

The need for intelligent hygienic practices has never been greater as kids ready to go back to school, daycares reopen, and personal service salons, restaurants restart, transit resumes, and other vulnerable businesses reopen.

Without good preventive management, the reopening of schools, mass transit, day care centers, airlines, theaters, sports stadiums, bars and restaurants and retail stores might be disastrous.  Preventive practices must be conducted or the outbreak this fall could be horrific.

California Covid 19 Cases

Stopping Disease Transmission is Top Priority

We’ve witnessed the negative psychological effects and how it is damaging the economy. And landlords and property management companies are being impacted as cash flow is impeded and rents not paid.

The lack of prevention and care is truly depressing and worrying. So let’s all regroup and tackle this problem by reminding ourselves of how this disease spreads. The CDC and other experts tell us that close contact where saliva and exhaled air transmit the disease to others.

Florida Covid 19 Cases

In some areas of the world, cases are dropping very low and much of it is due to wearing a face mask in public. It might be wise to contact your government representatives to ask for enforcement of the face mask rule. It is saving lives and allowing those economies to restart.

Keeping Distant and Wearing a Face Mask

This means recover in a couple of weeks is possible with self-isolation and face mask use to end the pandemic.

The key to this disease is that it does require some isolation. It is simply too contagious even under the best interpersonal conditions. The learn by trial and error methods used so far in many states simply isn’t working. We need to take control to beat this disease and get back to normal.

Keeping distance and wearing a face mask are essential, as are cleaning door handles, tables, countertops, railings, elevator buttons, and washrooms.

Those property managers managing high rise condos can play a vital role in controlling transmission.  The elevators, hallways and entry doors along with the ventilation systems if maintained frequently can really help eradicate the spread.

All tenants in multifamily buildings should be required to wear a face mask at all times outside their rental unit.

The Rapid Growth of Covid 19

Compare these two charts of Covid 19 infections 3 months apart in time. The first is the old chart and the second is from June 16, 2020.

Covid cases in USA as of March 29,2020. Courtesy of John Hopkins University and Medicine.

Screenshot courtesy of Johnhopkins Medical

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Apartment managers and property management companies and HOA’s can help by enforcing appropriate practices.

Everything you Touch

Many tenants live in apartment buildings or urban areas where you’ll be:

• getting too close to other people
• touching door handles
• using light switches, refrigerator doors, range dials, TV remotes, toilet handles, and tying shoe laces
• pushing elevator buttons
• receiving change or using the credit card reader when buying items at a store
• touching shopping carts and picking up food items
• going to public washrooms
• buying gasoline at the gas station when use the gas pump handles.

Victims are reporting they have no idea how they contracted Covid 19. It’s a mystery it seems.

The droplets that virus carriers are shedding can await us on just about any surface. This virus is one of the most virulent ever and people of all ages are being reported sick and dying from 90 year olds to babies. The symptoms are scary, ranging from high fever to pneumonia. Some victims may have lasting lung damage.

So let’s think hard about where transmission occurs, and how we might keep this awful virus away from us.  In this post, we have some tips on where to clean.  This could be a very good routine for your kids as it seems viruses are ever present throughout the year.

How do you Check Yourself for Corona Virus?

You’ll want to access a reputable source of screening tips such as the CDC . There is a simple self-screening tool on their website. You can install the Covid 19 Screening app for Apple smartphones.

Warning: Infected Apps!  Be careful installing any apps for Corona Virus, as malicious people have created programs that contain some seriously harmful malware. This is why Google has banned all Corona Virus tracker apps on Google Play. Even during the Corona Virus shutdown, there are bad people trying to commit crimes. Please be cautious.

Screenshot courtesy of the CDC.

Covid 19 Infection Symptoms

The 3 symptoms commonly reported are a high fever, cough and shortness of breath. As the condition worsens, victims suffer chest pain, difficulty with breathing, have confusion, and bluish color in lips or face.

Screenshot courtesy of the CDC.

The incubation period of Covid 19 isn’t certain and may be unique to each individual. However, CDC says it is between 2 to 14 days. This is why you and your family or other tenants need to be thorough in your daily hygiene practices for the next several months.

Screenshot courtesy of the CDC.

Screenshot courtesy of the CDC.

Your landlord should post a set of tips for the building and should consider having a well protected cleaning staff keep the building elevator and entry doors disinfected. See more tips for landlords for stopping Corona Virus.

Hand sanitizer bottles should be available too, as this can reduce risk of infection considerably. Most transmission last week may have been from surfaces, since many people have been avoiding close contact lately.

It’s not too paranoid to clean potential contact points. Everything from your supermarket shopping carts all the way to your car door to your own front door knob and fruits and vegetables purchased.

There are Corona Virus mobile testing stations set up across the US. Click here for testing facilities in each state.

If you’re alone and have Covid 19 symptoms and are having difficulty breathing, call 911.

Screenshot courtesy of the CDC.

Household Cleaning Tips for Corona Virus

Everything that you or your kids touch or bring in from outside potentially carries this harmful pathogen. Be suspicious of all surfaces because anyone shopping could have touched or coughed or spoke near it. This way, you don’t become the one who says they have no idea how they could have contracted it.

When you’re at a retail store, try to use the no touch credit card chip reader so you don’t have to touch anything.

11 Preventive Steps:

• wash your hands frequently using any kind of soap
• use hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)
• use a disinfectant for door handles, kitchen surfaces and bathroom fixtures and sinks
• cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
• clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
• clean door handles, seats, steering wheel, stick shift, and anything else touched in your car
• spray some disinfectant on the bottoms of your shoes
• disinfect any packages delivered to your store
• wipe down your kitchen countertops when unpacking food items
• wash your fresh produce from the store thoroughly with water
• wipe all food packaging and beverage containers that you bought at the store

Of all the methods above, disinfecting surfaces and handles, and using hand sanitizer regularly is most important.

Social Distancing

The CDC advises keeping at least 6 feet or two metres apart. Unfortunately, we still see people close talking in grocery stores, bars, parties, and engaging in close conversations. This period of social isolation is easy for some to manage, while others find their mental health declines.

If you have trouble with isolation, phone friends and relatives, use video conversation apps, text people and find something productive to do. Working isn’t so bad really. You’ve got a full day to fill so decide to feel good.  Fix something in the house or in your garage or property. Do a spring home inspection.

Take It Easy and Spend Some Time Relaxing

Enjoy this personal time to yourself. Get some rest and let your body recover from the daily work grind. Go online and research things you’ve been interested in and haven’t had time to look into.

A good source of entertainment and information is Youtube. You’ll find all sorts of videos on topics related to health, travel, cooking, and other things.

Remember to relax. Don’t pressure yourself and avoid negative TV news reports. If you’re worried about your employment or being able to pay rent, look into the government financial support programs online. Be careful with your funds because you may need to stretch them out. Always pay your rent because your shelter is the most important thing you have.

The staff at ManageCasa wish you good health and best wishes for getting through this unusual period for us all.
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