COVID-19: Tracy's Guide for Families

Q: Can the virus spread through aerosol? How to prevent it? 💁 Tracy: Yes. Aerosol refers to particulate matter suspended in the air. Aerosol happens mainly in hospitals and confined small spaces, so medical workers have a higher risk factor. Ordinary people are rarely exposed to a large number of aerosols with viruses in daily life, so wearing a mask when going out can play a protective role. To prevent the spread of aerosols, pay attention to: Wear masks: When meeting people, go to all public places (supermarkets, buses), wear masks. Wash your hands frequently: wash your hands when you come back home, go outside, or after touching any public surface, etc. You need to wash your hands carefully or wipe them with alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Toilet disinfection: disinfect toilets, toilet seats, and toilet flush switches at home frequently. Cover the toilet before flushing. Ventilation: The flowing air can ease the spread of the virus. But please don't turn o...

Q: Experts say we should disinfect by using the products listed on the list of Novel Coronavirus-Fighting Products ( https: //www.americanchemistry.com/Novel-Coronavirus-Fighting-Products-List.pdf ). This list was prepared by the American Chemistry Council’s Center for Biocide Chemistries (CBC) and approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). But I can't find the recommended disinfectants, what should I do? 💁 Tracy: The following disinfection methods can be used with caution: 1) High temperature disinfection: keep above 133 °F for more than half an hour. Method: Preheat oven to over 140°F, put items in a suitable container in oven, and heat for half an hour. After taking out the items from oven, heat the oven to the highest temperature for another half hour to kill the high temperature resistant bacteria brought into the oven. For high temperature resistant small items such as tableware, use a high-temperature dishwasher or a special d...

Q：I have done my best to disinfect and always go out with protection. What other details do I need to pay attention to?  💁 Tracy： Please develop good personal hygiene habits in the following situations: After getting home from outside, besides washing your hands, you should also wash your face and other exposed areas of the body, because they may also be exposed to virus-containing droplets. If you go out for a long time, you can take a hot bath and shower for about half an hour. Do not get close to any wild animal. Please build the habit of not touching your face. Whether at home or outside, do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Wash or disinfect your hands as often as possible.  Home, offices, hotels and other places must be regularly ventilated. Ventilation requirements: 30min and twice a day. After going back, hang your outfit in a well-ventilated place or laundry; Leave your shoes outside the door if possible. Anyone who has...

Q: How do I explain COVID-19 and the need for isolation to my children? 💁 Tracy: This depends on the age and level of understanding of your children, but there are some general guidelines below: Remain calm as you explain the situation. Children react to the feelings of their caregivers. Begin with past experiences. Most children have been sick with a cold or other illness. Explain that COVID-19 is an illness also, but that it is more severe so we must be more careful to keep everyone safe. This is why schools have closed and activities have been canceled. Remind children of hygiene rules and that following the rules gives them the power to prevent illness. Explain the positive steps you and your family are taking to keep everyone safe. Include things such as wearing masks when you must leave the house.   Acknowledge your child’s feelings and answer their questions. If a child seems uninterested, they may need time to process what you’ve told them. Do...

Q: Is it safe to go for a walk or run in a park? 💁 Tracy: Yes and no. There are guidelines you must follow to stay safe. Also, stay home if you or your family members have any symptoms of illness. Please refer to “ What can I do if I am sick? ” or “ What should I do if someone is sick in my family? ” for help in these circumstances. Here is what to consider when going out for a walk or run. The following are a few tips: Choose an area that isn’t crowded. If the area is crowded, come back when it is less crowded or choose another location for your exercise. This will allow you to maintain social distancing. When someone talks, coughs or sneezes , droplets travel through the air. Remaining at a safe distance from others, at least six feet, keeps you out of the path of those droplets. It is okay to walk or run with the people in your household as long as they are not infected or potentially infected. Maintain social distancing protocols at all times. Follow all governm...

Q: Do I need to wear a mask? 💁 Tracy: COVID-19 can be transmitted through droplets when people talk, sneeze, cough, etc. Therefore, wearing a mask can reduce the risk of transmission. People who have been infected should wear masks. Those who have close contact with patients and potentially infected people need to wear masks. CDC is considering and changing its guidelines at the time being whether healthy people should wear masks. Even wearing non-medical masks such as cotton masks can also play a protective role. But wearing a mask can definitely reduce the risk of transmission for asymptomatic and infected people even when viruses are in incubation stage. People who have been infected must wear masks when they come in contact with other people. Whether other people need to wear masks depends on the situation, especially when medical masks are in shortage, and the needs of healthcare workers and first-responders need to be prioritized. Please consider wearing masks when you a...