In these times of uncertainty, it can be difficult to know what you can and cannot believe. With so much information circulating about the coronavirus and COVID-19, we wanted to help you better understand what coronavirus and COVID-19 are, and provide some tips to keep in mind while protecting your home and family.
What is coronavirus?
While the word ‘coronavirus’ has only recently become a household term, it’s been around for quite some time. Coronavirus is actually an umbrella term and is by definition a large family of viruses that causes illness in animals and humans. This includes infections as simple as the common cold and more severe diseases like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
Is it the same as COVID-19?
NO! This is a common misconception. COVID-19 is a new strain of a virus within the coronavirus family that was unknown before the outbreak began. The COVID-19 virus is not the same as the viruses that commonly circulate and spread, like the common cold. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough.
How long does it last on surfaces?
There has also been a lot of conflicting information about how long COVID-19 survives on certain surfaces. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), they’re uncertain how long the virus can survive on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other viruses in the coronavirus family. This means varying under different conditions (i.e temperature or humidity), it could persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days.
Do all household cleaning products kill COVID-19?
Again, no! Cleaning and disinfecting are not the same. Cleaning refers to the removal of germs and dirt on surfaces. It doesn’t kill germs, but it lowers their numbers and therefore reduces the risk of infection. Disinfecting, however, refers to using chemicals to kill germs directly on surfaces.
To protect your home, focus on disinfecting frequently touched surfaces (think: doorknobs, light switches, etc.) with household cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants. Remember to always follow directions on the label, and take proper precautions like wearing gloves and making sure the room is ventilated. For disinfection, be sure any diluted household bleach or alcohol solutions have at least 70% alcohol.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of companies taking advantage of this pandemic and claiming that their cleaning services and products can protect against — and kill — COVID-19. Be sure to do your research, and ask lots of questions before hiring anyone to clean your home. When in doubt, check with the CDC and WHO—these are your best resources for factual, valid information.
We want you to know that we’re here for you during these strange times. If you have questions about disinfecting or would like us to do the cleaning and disinfecting for you, please give us a call and we’ll help as best we can.
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Sources: Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization
