As we are all spending time at home focusing on keeping our friends and family safe and healthy, we are also trying to do whatever we can to keep things clean and avoid exposure. While following your local, state, and federal guidelines is the most important way to stay up to date on the latest precautions and protocol, I wanted to share some quick tips that I’ve been following as well. Remember, the guidance from your healthcare provider is what you should definitely be following, so what I am sharing are just helpful tips meant to make life easier, not meant to be taken over that of a health professional.

  1. Treat your car and home like safe zones. If you leave the safety and comfort of your home or car, limit what you touch and sanitize your hands before re-entering your car or home and definitely before you touch your face or phone. Hand washing is still the best way to ensure that you are getting rid of germs, so even if you sanitize your hands while you are out, make sure you wash your hands when you get home as well. I love this video on how to wash your hands! It sounds stupid to learn how to wash your hands, but this could be great to show your kids or anyone else that might benefit from it.
    Watch a video on hand washing here!
  2. Use 409 (or another disinfecting cleaner) on light switches and door handles that are open to contamination from coming in and out of the house. If you spray the formula onto the surface, you need to let it sit for 10 minutes to disinfect it.
  3. No shoes in the house! In the past, Andrew and I didn’t think a lot about this and it didn’t bother me, however now is the time to implement a strict “no shoes on in the house” policy. Keeping shoes and outerwear at the door is another easy way to keep outside germs OUT of your perfectly clean home.
  4. Be careful with your mail. While there currently isn’t any heightened concern over COVID-19 being spread through mail, it doesn’t hurt to be cautious. Open mail and packages in one place that is easy to clean and away from surfaces you might prepare foods on. I say this because we normally open our mail on our kitchen island, which is not a great place to set down things that could potentially spread germs. Right now, the CDC says that mail recipients can wipe down and sanitize their mail if they are nervous.
  5. Stay at home. This is a really easy directive to follow, but it seems to be evading some people. The sooner we stay at home, the better! We need to slow the spread of the virus, and the only effective way to do that is by containing the spread.
  6. Get fresh air. You shouldn’t be outside congregating with others, but it’s good to soak up some sun, take a walk, walk your dog, or exercise. This is all good for your mood, which can be negatively affected during this time of stress. If you are able and genuinely interested, you can even take this time to foster a pet! Local shelters have been struggling without foster families, so you would be doing a good thing AND having an additional reason to get outside. Of course, you should only make this commitment if you have the time and resources necessary to provide the best and most loving home for your new furry friend.

supplies I found

Things are selling out quickly, but here are some supplies that I’ve found that might be helpful! Remember, these are just resources that I have found that aren’t sold out. I have not purchased all of them myself, and I don’t know whether they are appropriate for your specific circumstance. Always follow the guidance from your healthcare provider to make the best decisions for your family, and please stay safe and healthy!

resources for making masks

A lot of people have been making masks at home and it is possible that the CDC will advise all Americans to begin wearing face masks when outside the home. Below I am including links to the resources our local hospital sent around for those that want to help make masks for themselves or to donate.

Courtesy of the Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Last, but not least, it is so important to stay in touch with friends and loved ones to keep a positive outlook. Learn a skill you have been wanting to focus on, relax by the television, video chat with friends: there is no right way to feel and no right thing to do right now, so be kind to yourself and others and you are on the right track!

Stay safe and please be in touch! xx