WHAT MUST EVERY FACILITY MANAGER KNOW ABOUT CORONAVIRUS?

You’ve probably been listening to the news about Coronavirus on TV and all over social media. Consumers are purchasing cases of water, nonperishables and disinfectants after waiting in long queues at the grocery store. Meanwhile, hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes with bleach have been sold out for several weeks.

It’s just because of the rapid-fire spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

There’s a lot of coverage and concern thanks to how this new virus spreads, and while we are uncertain of how the spread will change and develop, there’s a lot of false information being shared.

As a facility manager, how can you and your commercial cleaning staff accurately prepare your building to keep this infection from spreading?

Here are some thoughts and protocols you should share with your janitorial staff on how to get ready for the virus to hit, what to do when it does and why it matters.

Why We Need to Take the Coronavirus Spread Seriously

Sure, for many who contract it, the coronavirus is not much different than the flu. Minor body aches, a dry cough and mild fever. So why are we as a country taking such elaborate precautions?

There are some people, including the elderly and those with comorbidities, for whom the coronavirus quickly can evolve into something deadly. And because we are dealing with an entirely new virus, no one has built up an immunity to the virus, which is why people are contracting it so quickly—because we don’t have the right immunities.

Because of this, it’s possible hospitals can become overcrowded with too many people who have become infected—and fast. This is why so many health officials are encouraging “social distancing” and asking Americans to help reduce the spread.

Does COVID-19 Spread When People Touch Contaminated Surfaces?

Suppose you’re a facility manager thinking about protecting the occupants of your building. In that case, you’re probably wondering the same thing other facility managers are: Can the coronavirus spread by touching surfaces that have become contaminated by the virus?

The answer to this question is YES, but this is not the main method of its transmission. While health practitioners are making constant discoveries about this virus, it’s also possible for a person to contract COVID-19 by touching a surface that has been contaminated by the Virus and then touching the eyes or nose.

The information available now tells us that the coronavirus can live on a surface anywhere from a few hours to a few days if it hasn’t been carefully sanitized. The World Health Organization asks that if you think a surface has been contaminated, you disinfect it to protect yourself and your building’s occupants.

What Can You Do to Help with Infection Control?

How are you and your janitorial staff able to prevent the spread of the coronavirus? Because there is proof the virus can spread via a contaminated surface, you should advise your commercial cleaning company to spend a great deal of time cleaning high-touch surfaces throughout the entirety of the building.

What surfaces are considered high-touch surfaces?

• Tables, desks and countertops
• Doorknobs, handles and push plates or push bars on doors
• Handles
• Toilets, faucets and sinks
• Handrails
• Hard-backed chairs
• Remotes
• Elevator buttons

If you are the building manager, it’s important to have a well-thought-out plan for your janitorial service to disinfect these high-touch surfaces to reduce transmission risk within your building.

Being a facility manager is already challenging when there isn’t a virus spreading like wildfire. If you need additional support in dealing with this virus, let Sam’s cleaning and Hauling take over.

We are ready with our gloves and sanitizers. Request a quote today.