At first glance, there was nothing extraordinary about Wednesday night’s meeting of Killingworth Ambulance Association EMTs. It convened the first Wednesday of the month, as the schedule dictates. There were 14 persons there, which is about normal. And the conversation was casual.
Again, normal.
But what made this event unusual was the subject that consumed the first half-hour of discussion: Coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19. Originating in China, the virus has spread throughout the world and recently infiltrated the United States, with death tolls rising daily.
“It hasn’t been diagnosed in Connecticut right now,” said Mike Haaga, the KAA’s Chief of Service, “but it will.”
For that reason, Haaga briefed EMTs on precautions to assume if and when they confront patients with respiratory distress, coughs, fevers or rashes — warning them that victims are potentially infectious with airborne pathogens and offering instructions on protective equipment, pre-hospital considerations and decontamination and follow-up procedures.
“I would emphasize that the standard protocol for respiratory patients is more than enough to protect us,” he told his listeners.
But what about the public at large? How does it protect itself? Decontamination, experts say, with the most effective decontaminant also the most logical.
“Soap and water,” said Haaga. “The CDC (Center for Disease Control) says that’s the best way to clean your hands.”
Most people know that. Nevertheless, soap and water isn’t always available. So some persons resort to cleaning with hand sanitizers, which leads to the obvious question: Is there much of a difference?
Well, yes, as a matter of fact, there is – especially when it comes to COVID-19. Alcohol-based sanitizers don’t kill all types of germs and may not remove harmful chemicals like pesticides and heavy metals. Handwashing with soap does, however, reduce the amounts of all types of germs.
So how do you know when to use them? Keep reading. Below you’ll find a guide to handwashing and sanitizer use, compliments of the CDC:
WHEN SHOULD I USE?
Soap and Water
- Before, during and after preparing food.
- Before eating.
- Before and after caring for someone who is sick.
- Before and after treating a cut or wound.
- After bathroom use, changing diapers or cleaning up after a child who used the bathroom.
- After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- After touching an animal, animal food or treats, animal cages or animal waste.
- After touching garbage.
- If your hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Before and after visiting a friend or a loved one in a hospital or nursing home, unless the person is sick with Clostridium difficile (which causes severe diarrhea). If so, use soap and water.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol and wash with soap and water as soon as you can.
- Do NOT use hand sanitizer if your hands are visibly dirty or greasy, for example, after gardening, playing outdoors or after fishing or camping (unless a handwashing station is not available). Wash your hands with soap and water instead.
HOW SHOULD I USE?
Soap and Water
- Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap.
- Scrub all surfaces of your hands, including the palms, backs, fingers, between your fingers and under our nails. Keep scrubbing for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
- Rinse your hands under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Supervise young children when they use hand sanitizers to prevent swallowing alcohol, especially in school and child-care facilities.
- Apply. Put enough product on hands to cover all surfaces.
- Rub hands together until they feel dry. This should take around 20 seconds.
Note: Do not rinse or wipe off the hand sanitizer before it is dry. It may not work as well against germs.
(For more information visit the CDC handwashing website, www.cdc.gove/handwashing)