How to Stay Safe While Working in Public

We’ve stayed home. We’ve practicing social distancing. We’ve done our part to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus. However, it’s time to go back to work. Now what? As many of us face the reality of leaving home and heading back to the workplace, there are simple steps we can take throughout our day to ensure we keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. Here are the answers to questions that are on the minds of employees everywhere.

Are you washing your hands often enough?

Maybe not. Prior to the Coronavirus outbreak, proper handwashing etiquette called for us to wash our hands often. You should always wash your hands before, during and after preparing food, as well as before you eat. Your hands need to be washed before and after caring for someone who is sick. Washing is also necessary before and after treating a wound. After using the restroom, changing a diaper, or taking out the trash your hands should be washed. Every time you cough or sneeze your hands need to be washed. Touching an animal, its feed, or its waste certainly calls for a trip to the sink to wash up, but did you know you also need to wash your hands after handling pet food and treats? On average, we should have been washing our hands at least ten times per day even before we started making a conscious effort to wash up more often. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, you need to wash your hands more often than ever before. In addition to the above recommendations, you should also be washing your hands after being in a public place and prior to touching your face.

What if I don’t have a sink to use while I’m at work?

You are not alone. Millions of employees do not have access to a sink during the majority of their shift. However, you can use hand sanitizer when a sink is unavailable, then thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water when you are able to. Using hand sanitizer requires less time and acts quickly to kill the microorganisms and bacteria found on your hands. Most hand sanitizers are also less irritating to skin than soap and water. Some even work to improve the overall condition of the skin on your hands as they sanitize. Make sure you are using a hand sanitizer with a minimum of 70% alcohol.

Bring a spare change of clothes to change after your shift

Consider purchasing a few additional custom uniforms for work so that you can change out of your uniform after work and put your clothes in the hamper. This is especially important if you work in a medical facility and wear scrub uniforms every day. But whether you find yourself in scrubs or a custom logo polo shirt having a change of clothes will prevent any contamination on your work uniform from coming into your house. It’s also a good idea to keep a pair of shoes set aside for your shift and leave them outside of your house or at the front door to prevent further contamination when you get home.

How close is too close?

Keeping a safe distance now has a number: six feet. Staying at least six feet apart at all times is the rule while practicing social distancing. However, it isn’t practical to expect everyone in every line of work to be able to do the tasks they are required to do from six feet away. When exceptions have to be made, make sure you are wearing employee face masks or protective face coverings. It’s also vitally important you do not go to work when you are feeling sick. No more toughing it out at work, friends. This is the time to put your co-workers first.

Is it okay to carpool?

If you can drive separately, you should do so. However, when going it alone isn’t an option, what’s your backup plan? Social distancing may not be possible when using mass transit or while crammed into your coworker’s Prius, but you can still do your part to keep everyone safe by wearing a mask and keeping your hands to yourself whenever possible.

Am I wearing my mask correctly?

There truly is a right and a wrong way to wear a mask. First, wash and dry your hands prior to touching your mask. Then place the mask on your face. If your mask has ear loops, secure them around each ear. If your mask ties, you should pick it up by the tie strings and tie the upper set of ties. Once your mask is comfortably on your face, pinch the top edge of your mask around the bridge of your nose to ensure it fits snugly and stays in place. If your mask has a lower set of tie strings, tie them behind your head. Double check the overall fit of your mask. Is it completely secure? Does it fully cover your face from the bridge of your nose to the edge of your chin? If not, remove the mask, rewash your hands, and begin the process again.

Should I wear glasses or contacts to work?

Even though you love your contacts, now is the time to switch back to glasses. Wearing glasses instead of contacts is the best way to avoid unknowingly touching your eyes. Glasses also provide you with an additional layer of protection by blocking many airborne particles.