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Preventing the spread of germs is all about isolation. In the age of COVID-19, we understand principles like social distancing and self-isolation; if viruses and germs can’t spread, they die. What do you do, however, when the illness is present in your own home? How do you avoid spreading germs in your apartment? The principles remain similar - an abundance of precaution, a lot of mindfulness, and quite a bit of distancing.
Separate Your Personal Items
It’s unlikely you and anyone else in your family are using the same toothbrush. You might, however, be using the same soap, the same shampoo, and the same utensils. When one of you is sick, you’ll need to claim your own personal items. Wash your dishes separately, and if the person who is sick is unable to wash their own items, the person washing them should use gloves to reduce the chances of contamination. Wash using extremely hot water or the highest setting on the dishwasher. Items in the bathroom should be kept separately; when a contaminated toothbrush touches an uncontaminated one, it can be a quick way to spread germs.
Stay Isolated
As much as possible, the sick individual should avoid being in common spaces in the apartment. This can be difficult in a one bedroom apartment, but one person opting to sleep on the couch can drastically reduce the chances of infection. Obviously this isn’t always possible, and it’s up to you to weigh the risks and benefits.
The person who is feeling sick should not leave the house. When you live alone, it’s important to be very cautious about leaving if you need to. Wear a face mask and bring disinfectant wipes with you to wipe down any surfaces you touch. Whenever possible, order in instead of going out.
Disinfect
You shouldn’t just be wiping down common areas; you should be wiping down any surface you touch in your own home. Anyone who is ill should disinfect surfaces and wash their hands with soap and hot water regularly for at least 20 seconds. The same can be said for anyone living in the same home as them. Pillows and other fabrics used by the someone who is ill should be washed thoroughly before anyone else uses them.
Get Healthy
The number one thing you can do to reduce the spread of illness is to take care of yourself when you’re sick. Stay at home. Rest. Drink lots of fluids. If your illness persists for too long, call your doctor and get advice on what to do next. Depending on whether you have a flu or a cold, the advice might change a bit, but for most illnesses, staying home and resting is the best method.
Here at Globe, we have apartments for rent in Winnipeg, and we do much more than simply rent out spaces - we care for our community and the people who live in our apartments. Come back to this blog for more great tips and tricks about apartment living.