Hey friend,
How are you feeling lately? Are you excited our state is open and back for business or are you feeling apprehensive? It’s completely valid to feel both excited and nervous. After months of altered routines, heightened stress, and event cancellations, it’s natural to want to get back some sense of daily normalcy.
People are already planning parties, the question is, how can you safely party in a post-quarantine world?
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Keep reading for some quick and easy tips to help you easily throw CDC-Approved party!
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that spread primarily through coughing, sneezing, saliva or nasal discharge from an infected person.
Infected people usually have fevers, and in some cases, coughing, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, sore throat, headache, and/or a runny nose. Most people who catch the virus experience mild symptoms, especially if you’re young and healthy. However, if you’re vulnerable, due to age or underlying disease, your symptoms can progress to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), kidney failure, other complications, and even death.
SOURCE: Northwell health: https://bit.ly/2NBQ2E4
How do I Prevent it From Spreading?
The Virus is noted to be more infectious (and in some high-risk populations, deadlier) than the flu. But don’t worry, there’s no need to panic! Just make sure you, your family, and your friends are adopting and practicing safe hygiene.
Washing your hands regularly with soap and water (or with an alcohol-based sanitizer of at least 60%), can help minimize the spread of the virus. Make sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
You can also help prevent the spread of COVID by wearing a cloth face covering or a face mask. The CDC, Center for Disease Control, recommends wearing one in public settings where social distancing is difficult. Masks shouldn’t be worn by kids under the age of 2 or on anyone who has trouble breathing.
This covering is meant to protect other people from you in case you’re infected, and when other’s wear a covering, you are protected from any potential illness they might have. This is important because you or someone else might be infected, but aren’t showing any symptoms (Symptoms can appear 2 – 14 days after exposure).
Face coverings are especially important for situations or events where people might raise their voice, such as at your place of worship (if you’re chanting), an event (if you’re shouting), or at a birthday party (where you’re singing).
SOURCE: Northwell health: https://bit.ly/2NBQ2E4, Red Cross https://rdcrss.org/3g5GY70 and the CDC https://bit.ly/3i98aDk
What is Social Distancing?
Social distancing is maintaining six (6) feet of space between yourself and others. It’s important to know a face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
SOURCE: Red Cross https://rdcrss.org/3g5GY70
How Do I Know if My Child Has COVID?
While the symptoms of COVID are similar in children and adults, children with confirmed cases generally show mild symptoms. This can include cold-like symptoms (such as a fever or a cough), vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
SOURCE: Northwell health: https://bit.ly/2NBQ2E4
Can My Pet Get COVID?
There is currently no known case of coronavirus spreading to animals, however, it’s recommended that the infected person avoids any pets at home.
SOURCE: Northwell health: https://bit.ly/2NBQ2E4
How Do I Clean my House?
COVID can stay on surfaces for hours to even days. The CDC recommends cleaning all visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection.
“High-Touch Surfaces,” such as phones, doorknobs, countertops, keyboards, light switches, toilets, and toys, should be cleaned every day. Normal routine cleaning with soap and water will remove germs and dirt from the surface, lowering the risk of infection. Disinfectants will kill the germs on the surface. By disinfecting after you’ve cleaned, you’re further lowering the risk of spreading the infection.
Washable plush toys can (and should) be cleaned in accordance to the manufacturer’s instructions. When possible, use the warmest water setting and dry completely.
Do not share your dishes, cups, utensils, towels, or bedding with an infected person. Items touched or used by an infected person should be washed thoroughly.
SOURCE: Northwell health: https://bit.ly/2NBQ2E4
Keep Your Kids Safe While Cleaning (A Warning about Disinfectants):
Disinfectants shouldn’t be applied to items used by kids, such as their toys, or any item they might put in their mouth. This is important because many disinfectants are toxic when swallowed.
Toys and other items handled by kids can simply be cleaned with soap and water. Find more info on cleaning and disinfecting toys and other surfaces here: CDC’s Guidance for Childcare Programs that Remain Open.
How do I Keep My House Clean when I have Guests Over?
Great question! Let’s use the bathroom, for example. This is an important room to keep clean, as you want to make sure you, your family and your guests are kept safe.
This is a time where we are all taking some personal responsibility to keep our friends and loved ones safe. Let your guests know your rules before they enter your home. Let them know you’re putting a box of disinfecting wipes on the bathroom counter and that you’d appreciate them cleaning up after themselves. You could even put a cute, little sign there, reminding them: “We’d appreciate it if you’d wipe down the surfaces after you touch them. This’ll help keep it safe for the next person.”
You can also keep your house clean by removing and putting away certain items, such as blankets, pillows, and even the TV remote. This way you don’t have to worry about people constantly touching it.
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So there you go! You’re now ready to safely throw a COVID-era party. Be sure to click the links provided if you need more info.
What are your tips for streamlining the cleaning process? Leave a comment below, and share your tips for how you’ll practice social distancing at parties.
Please make sure to familiarize yourself with our new policy regarding entertaining at parties and events.
Stay safe and happy, friends!
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