COVID-19: Tracy's Guide for Families

Q: Can I still walk my dog?  💁 Tracy： Yes. You can walk the dog, but you need to keep a distance of 6 feet from other people. If you or someone in your family is showing signs of infection then you should use your yard or somewhere isolated from others for your dog. Q: Will I get infected from my pet? 💁 Tracy: Currently, according to a report by the CDC and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, although there have been very few cases that cats and dogs can be infected with COVID-19, there is little evidence that pets can transmit COVID-19 to humans, except the situation that if they interact with other infected people, their fur and skin may carry the virus. But this is still an active area of research. Q: Should I avoid touching pets or other animals if I am sick with COVID-19? 💁 Tracy: People sick with COVID-19 should limit contact with animals until more information is known about the spread. Also, if the animals you touch are contacted...

Q: What can I do when I am bored at home under lockdown?  💁 Tracy: If you have finished your work and want to enjoy yourself, you can make use of some online resources. For example: Free downloads from libraries: includes books, MP3s, online reading materials, etc. Please check your local library’s website. The Metropolitan Opera’s Nightly Opera Stream: All popular operas can be watched online for free, for 20 hours each stream. You don’t need to dress up or worry about sitting too far away, and those who want to learn more about opera but haven’t had chances to go can also take this as an opportunity to get started. https://www.metopera.org/nightly-opera-stream/ Google Arts and Culture: 1,200 art galleries, museums, zoos and even street art in more than 70 countries can be viewed online. Features include a 360 panorama, making you feel as if you were actually visiting the places. https://artsandculture.google.com/ Free coloring activities: For example, the adult colorin...

1. Q: How long can the coronavirus survive in the air, and can it reproduce itself?  💁 Tracy: The virus does not survive in the air for long. The time depends on the surface and conditions in the air. The virus itself cannot reproduce itself. It needs host / human body to replicate its RNA. 2. Q: Will the packages or letters sent from the pandemic area carry viruses? 💁 Tracy: If it takes a long time (for example, a week) to arrive, don't worry about it, because the virus cannot survive on dry surfaces or in circulating air for a long time. For same day delivery, if you are not in a hurry, leave the items outside for a few days before you open it. If you are in a hurry, wipe the surface with a disinfectant first. 3. Q: Are wool fabrics more susceptible to viruses?  💁 Tracy: Wool fabrics are not more susceptible to viruses than other clothing. Viruses are more likely to stay on the surface of smooth objects for longer periods of time, and are more likely to gather...

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...