Plan Ahead and Get Your Household Ready for COVID-19 | Maid4Condos
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Plan Ahead and Get Your Household Ready for COVID-19

Plan Ahead and Get Your Household Ready for COVID-19
April 6, 2020

Now that COVID-19 is in our community, it’s important to keep yourself, your loved ones, and your neighbours safe. This is especially vital if you or those who live with you are considered high risk for serious complications, including anyone with existing health conditions and people over the age of 65. That said, the key is to practice social distancing, staying two metres apart from others when out and about, and constant hand-washing to reduce the risk of spreading or acquiring the virus. You can plan on getting your household ready to fight the virus now, even if you feel there is no risk in your immediate community. Here are our tips to keep your home safer during the outbreak.

Planning ahead of the pandemic

1. Lay down the household rules

Hold a family meeting to make it clear what the most recent rules are related to flattening the curve of the virus spreading:

  • Cough and sneeze into your sleeve and use a tissue when possible.
  • No visitors to your home or visiting others’ homes.
  • Go out only when necessary, even if you feel fine.
  • Remain two metres apart from others when out for groceries, a quick walk for exercise, etc.
  • Wash your hands frequently, especially after going out, interacting with others, coughing or sneezing, or using the bathroom. When in doubt, wash your hands just to be safe.

This way, everyone in the home will understand how to remain healthy during the outbreak.

2. Conduct daily cleaning

Clean frequently-touched surfaces and objects daily with strong detergent and water. For particularly dirty surfaces, such as kitchen counters or bathroom sinks, first, remove the dirt then wash again with disinfecting cleansers. Avoid mixing detergents, as this can be dangerous. Follow the instructions on the bottle to be safe.

3. Prepare a “Sick” room

Have a room or zone set up, just in case someone appears to be sick. This should include a separate bathroom, if possible. Keeping sick people apart from the rest of the household is very important to reduce the odds of others catching the virus. Symptoms would include any sign of cough, fever, difficulty breathing, sore throat, etc.

4. Set up a home office

You must stay home if you feel even slightly ill to avoid the risk of spreading the illness to others. Even if well, you should plan to work from home whenever possible. Set up a room or area of your home as a temporary work spot. If more than one person in your household needs a work spot, try to find separate rooms for privacy. Speak to your employer to see what they recommend and let them know if you plan to work from home. If you don’t have a computer, you can use your phone, and your work will usually be able to aid in setting up things like email so you can respond quickly.

5. No sharing

Although it might be confusing to kids to tell them “No sharing,” it’s the best way to keep them safe. Do not share drinks and food items. If you’re snacking with a bag of chips or cookies, place them on separate plates or bowls for each person. The same goes for drinks. Each person should have their own glass or cup. Have the kids choose their healthy cups and plates, and make sure they use them, so they get used to this new rule. Wash after every use!

6. Keep in touch

Although you should not be socializing with others in person, it’s a good idea to keep in touch with friends and family during the social distancing period. Phone, email, or use video calls to interact with others, so you don’t feel isolated. This is very important for anyone living alone, or for those at high risk who might feel cut off from everyone else. Ask if there is anything you can do for those in high-risk groups, such as dropping off groceries to reduce their need to leave their home.

7. Explain “Why” to the kids

These are scary times, and kids might begin to feel nervous, not to mention stir-crazy, because they are not seeing friends and are experiencing drastic changes to their routines. Do your best to keep things as scheduled as possible and explain the basics of why you are all staying home together. Stress that this is a time to enjoy each other’s company and let them know they are safe.

8. Lay down the law for the older kids

The rebel in your teen might decide to come out at the most inopportune time. They might feel that since they are not in the high-risk category, they are immune from the virus. Make sure they understand that when they don’t practice social distancing, they are putting your entire family at risk. This includes vulnerable people, such as their grandparents, who are at risk of not just getting sick but even dying.

Do what you can to make it easier for them to share time with friends through video games, their phones, and their computer to help keep them occupied. They should remain in touch with their peers via texting, social media, and video calls, for example, to avoid the temptation to sneak out and hang around with others in person.

9. Keep up to date

Watch the news regularly to keep up to date, as the rules and recommendations are changing daily, or in some cases even several times a day. Be certain to inform family members of anything you learn, so you all remain on the same page and continue to practice the health and safety rules in your community.

10. Maintain mental health

It’s easy to get on each other’s nerves when living in such close quarters over long periods of time. As mentioned, practice as much social contact as possible via over the phone or video calls with others and remember that you’re all in this together. Share feelings and frustrations, and try to stay occupied watching movies, playing games, and keeping fit. Go for walks, maintaining your distance from others, and avoid parks and other areas that tend to be more crowded. Workout at home and look for online opportunities to enjoy fitness classes, as well as other sources of entertainment and learning. Encourage the kids to ask questions and think of ways to keep them happy and feeling safe.

At Maid4Condos, we are a responsible community business and want everyone to stay healthy. Remember, we are all in this together, and each household can do its part by sticking with a household plan and keeping up to date with the latest recommendations from the government. Stay healthy, and we look forward to serving you soon.

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