Home & family Pandemic Preparedness

Where contact with infected persons is not expected, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) helps individuals to prevent sprays of potentially infected liquid droplets (from talking, coughing and sneezing) from contacting their nose or mouth.

Masks: N95 masks provide protection from liquid droplets and are generally recommended.  N95 masks provide superior protection in infectious environments and are filtration 95% effective against particulate aerosols free of oil.

Medical Exam Gloves: Infection is spread when a person touches droplets, nose drainage or saliva from an infected person, or a soiled object, and then touches ones own or someone else's nose or mouth before washing hands.  An important function of exam gloves is to serve as a reminder to not touch your nose, eyes, mouth, or other objects.  The gloves need to be turned inside out when removing to prevent contamination.

Safety Goggles: Goggles need to be worn especially when caring for infected individuals or when within 3 feet of infected individuals.  Make sure they fit correctly.

Isolation Gowns, Shoe Covers, Hair Covers: Disposable isolation gowns, shoe covers and hair covers are worn when caring for infected persons.  They, too, need to be removed properly to avoid contamination.

The items above MUST be removed in the proper sequence to avoid contaminating yourself.

1. Because gloves are considered the most contaminated piece of PPE, remove them first.  Grasp opening of glove and remove glove by turning inside out.  Do not touch the outside of the gloves with your bare hands during removal.  If you contaminate your hands during the removal process, wash them before continuing.
2. N95 masks may be contaminated because droplets may have landed on them or you may have touched your face by mistake while wearing your PPE.  Touch only the straps at the back of your head.  Slowly remove the straps, taking care that the mask does not contaminate your bare skin or clothing.
3. Remove other items.
4. Dispose of used PPE in a plastic lined trash can or a plastic bag.  Seal the plastic bag for later disposal.  Hold the bag by the outside and avoid any rush of air as you seal it.  Place in another plastic bag (double bag it).  This prevents contamination.
5. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or a hand sanitizer immediately after PPE removal.

Disinfect and Sanitize

Cups, glasses, dishes, all eating utensils, thermometers, etc., must be disinfected after use by an infected person.  The eating utensils can be disinfected either by use of a dishwasher or dishwater with 1.5 tsp. f household bleach to one gallon of water. Steramine as a third rinse will sanitize those items.  Handling these items while they are still contaminated will lead to possible infection.  Make sure you wear gloves while handling potentially contaminated items.

Surfaces in the room of an infected person should be cleaned with Lysol or Clorox spray or wipes or a bleach solution (mentioned above).  Steramine as a spray solution will sanitize the surfaces.  Make sure you pay particular attention to faucets, doorknobs, telephones, refrigerator, oven, and toilet flush handles.  This should be done any time there is contact by an infected person or otherwise 2-3 times a day.  Linens and clothing need to be washed in warm water with detergent and preferably dried in a dryer.  If you are not careful in your personal protective wear and hygiene habits, you may carry infected material on your skin or clothing which may contaminate yourself or others.  Designate a specific garbage bag for infected, disposable materials.

Isolation

If you develop symptoms of the current pandemic illness, stay home and isolated from your household except to seek medical care.  Remain at home for 7-10 days or until you are well and can no longer spread the infection.  Seek medical care if you have signs of pneumonia or severe lung infection….difficulty breathing, wheezing, or a persistent fever over 102 degrees.

If there are cases in your neighborhood, keep your children in your yard or home away from others who may be infected.  Decide in advance who you will call or what needs to be done if you are alone, ill and incapacitated, or if the adults in the home become ill and incapacitated.

Schools and day care facilities may be closed.  Plan in advance how you can work from home, therefore keeping the children at home and away from others who may be infected.

Limit your exposure to public places.  Plan your trip out to include as much as possible (grocery store, gas station, etc.) and keep it to a minimal amount of time out.  Be sure to have plenty of food and water on hand.  Also, keep a supply of your prescription medications, nonprescription drugs, and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, vitamins, rubbing alcohol, thermometers, garbage bags and cleaning supplies.  Keep your car filled with gas and have cash on hand, as banks may be closed.

Maintain social distancing and stay at least 6 feet away from others at all times particularly in public.  Avoid handshaking and other forms of contact.  Use proper cough and sneeze etiquette even if you are not ill.