Resources
How to save lives and prevent the spread of COVID-19
This resource guide is intended to help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and to help keep you and your family and friends safe and healthy. As millions of lives are being impacted and the death toll climbs past 100,000 in the United States alone, experts say small measures prove the most effective in turning the tide and dramatically reducing the spread.
When you are in public be sure to wear a mask to protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19. Masks should be worn over your mouth and nose. Make sure there are no gaps in between your face and the mask. Avoid touching your mask at all times.
Here are the World Health Organization’s guidelines for using and taking care of your mask
Wash your hands:
Wash your hands with soap or water for at least 20-seconds or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub prior to putting on your mask, avoid touching the inside of your mask.
When you are removing your masks, do not touch the outer part of the mask. Remove the mask by grabbing the cord or other material that is behind your head. Once you have removed your mask be sure to clean your hands by either washing them with soap and water for at least 20-seconds or by using an alcohol-based hand rub.
Best Practices
Do not reuse one-time masks and be sure to keep your reusable masks clean. Replace the masks with a new one as soon as it is damp.Â
Be sure to keep your masks in a separate container from the rest of your items, to avoid spreading any potential contamination.
If you feel sick be sure to stay home as you could have COVID-19. This is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and also to help you get better faster. Avoid coming in contact with anyone who you know is sick or has been sick.
Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
Maintain a distance of six or more feet between you and others and do not gather in groups of ten or more people.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
When you are cleaning your home be sure to wear disposable or reusable gloves. If you are using disposable gloves be sure to remove them immediately after cleaning and avoid touching the fingertips of the gloves. First clean the surface with soap and water then use the disinfectant. This will help you ensure the cleanest and safest surfaces, further reducing the risk of the spread of the coronavirus. The CDC recommends regularly cleaning surfaces that come into human-contact. You can find a list here.
Be sure that your product meets the standards and guidelines of the EPA and that it is EPA-Approved. You can find a list of these disinfectants here.
Prior to using the product be sure to read the directions so you know which surface types you can use it on. This will help that you prevent the spread of the coronavirus as the product will be working effectively.Â
As mentioned above make sure to wash your surfaces with soap and water prior to using any other cleaning products. When using the product be sure that the surface remains wet the entire time for the product to work effectively and prevent the spread. You should also be sure to wear gloves and throw away disposable gloves immediately after use. Once you have removed the gloves wash your hands for at least 20-seconds. Once you are done using the products be sure to lock them up and keep them out of the reach of children.Â
You may also use diluted bleach to prevent the spread of the coronavirus but be sure that bleach will not damage the surface prior to using it. You can find complete guidelines from the CDC here.
Other Resources
If you want to learn more about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 check out these other resources:
How you can help
The best thing that you can do to help stop the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home if you feel sick, wear a mask when out in public, wash your hands and practice social distancing.
To make your own personal non-medical grade masks to protect against coronavirus, the CDC provides instructions on how to make them. You can also purchase medical-grade masks from our website.
Donate
If you are looking to supply your local hospital and healthcare workers with Personal Protective Equipment they must be FDA approved. You can purchase those masks on this site and have them donated to your local hospital. Simply add their address to the shipping address during checkout.
You can find more information about what type of masks are approved here. If you or your company are looking to donate supplies the FDA is able to help you find donation organizations with this form.