Tips for Laborocity Doers on How to Stay Safe at Home and at Work

Laborocity’s mission is to put people to work but also making sure our workers (Doers) are safe getting to work, in their work environment, and getting home is of our utmost concern. For those who cannot shelter in place, we have compiled best practices for work and for the home. This is to keep our Doers and their families safe during this trying time. 

Masks: 

Essential personnel, such as Laborocity Doers, need masks to complete the duties of their jobs and as many are aware, there is a large shortage of masks available. However, many people are taking to their sewing machines to make homemade masks and donate them.

Here are some resources on how to make these masks to ensure they are as functional as possible. 

• PA Department of Health Guidance on Homemade Masks 
• Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
• YouTube: COVID DIY Face Mask 
• Face Mask Sewing Tutorial 
• Best Fit Face Mask Tutorial
• DIY Face Mask No Sew
• How to Make a No Sew and No Elastic Mask 

When wearing a face mask, make sure to avoid touching the front of the mask at all times and wash hands before and after touching the mask. Follow these tips when making, wearing, and discarding masks and be sure to follow these instructions for putting the mask on and taking the mask off. It is imperative that masks are properly applied and removed to ensure the integrity of the mask and its ability to prevent the spread of the virus. 

Shoes: 

For those feeling cooped up due to shelter in place, a nice walk outside can be a sense of relief for cabin fever and a great way to get moving. Since the World Health Organization recommends getting exercise during the Coronavirus pandemic and vitamin D is a known necessity for the immune system’s proper functioning, walking outside is a quick and easy way to satisfy both Vitamin D requirements and exercise. However, keeping a few things in mind while going on a walk can help keep your home and family safe. 

• The CDC reported that the COVID-19 virus can be spread “13 feet through the air and be carried around on people’s shoes.” 
• However, the concern about shoes is minimal depending on the age of the family members in the household. Since shoes carry tons of bacteria normally due to their contact with the ground, cars, mud, dirt, etc., they are mostly at a greater risk of spreading COVID-19 if a small child ingests particles that come from the shoes. Dr. Andrew Janowski, instructor of pediatric infectious diseases at Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis Children’s Hospital said, “If you have a child who crawls or plays on the floor, a family member with allergies, or someone with a compromised immune system, a shoe-free home might be a good idea for general hygiene.”
• For those, such as Laborocity Doers, who are essential personnel, recommendations include having a designated pair of “outside shoes”. Shoes can be left at the door to avoid tracking the virus throughout the house. It is also a good idea to wash shoes that can be laundered in the washing machine every so often even outside of a global pandemic. “If you want to talk about bacteria, we know bacteria love to live on shoes,” Dr. Janowski said. “You never know what you stepped in.”

Groceries: 

COVID-19 mostly spreads between human to human contact; however, high traffic locations such as grocery stores have the potential for multiple people to touch the same item. While it is not necessary to fully sanitize your groceries, it is a good idea to gently clean your groceries before you put them away.

Here are some tips for cleaning groceries: 

• Set up a clear “cleaning” station to avoid having groceries touch a lot of different surfaces during the process. Since the virus can live on some surfaces for up to 72 hours. It is imperative that you clean off the surface after anything from outside touches it. This includes counters, the floor, and any dishes. If you are out of Clorox or bleach, soap and water is effective to clean your surfaces. 
• Do not sanitize your produce or wash it with soap. If soap is not fully washed off food, ingestion can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. The CDC recommends rinsing your produce in cold water and using a cleansing brush for produce with a thick exterior such as oranges, pineapple, etc. 

Continue to practice social distancing whenever possible. Try to avoid crowded locations such as grocery stores, pharmacies, etc. in favor of curbside pick-up or delivery options. Here is a list of restaurants and retailers offering curbside pick-up. 

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