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As the nation begins to roll out vaccinations in phases across the country, California has begun its beginning phases of vaccine distribution. Seniors over 75 and front line workers, including teachers, are next on the priority list.
You might not be on the priority list for a while. And the current state of the pandemic is still at dangerous levels, with some of the highest numbers locally since the pandemic first began.
So experts agree, as more and more phases roll out, the same attention to cleanliness will be important for at least the next year, if not longer. Things won’t get different overnight.
But you might also slowly be making the transition to working a few more hours in your office as you join the vaccinated, and that might necessitate a house cleaner to do what you’ve been doing for the last eight months, as life hopefully returns to normal.
According to the Center for Disease Control, here are some things to think about as you begin to think about those plans.
Vaccination is not treatment. Ask the service provider to wear a mask. You and other household members should also wear masks, if you plan on being home during the house cleaning.
You might also want to stay at least six feet from the service provider, and limit interactions between the service provider and other household members and pets.
After the service is completed, clean and disinfect any surfaces in your home that may have been touched by the service provider. In general, the closer and longer you interact with others, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread.
Before welcoming service providers into your home, say the CDCconsider these tips to help keep you, your family, and the service provider safe during in-home services or repairs:
Before the visit, the CDC recommends that you check with your local health department about stay-at-home orders. If a stay-at-home order is in effect through the Pasadena Health Department, consider if the service request is essential, or if it can be delayed.
Obviously, if you or someone in your home has COVID-19, has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, wait to schedule non-emergency services that require entry into your home until it is safe to be around others.
And, if you or someone in your home is at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults or those with underlying medical conditions, consider not being inside the home during the service, or find someone else who can be in the home instead.
The CDC also recommends you do as much of the pre-service consultation as possible before the service provider arrives, to reduce the amount of time the service provider spends inside your home. Discuss the details of the service request on the phone or by email, and send pictures ahead of time, for example.
Obviously, do not allow service providers to enter your home if they seem sick or are showing symptoms of COVID-19. Consider having clean, spare masks to offer to service providers if their mask becomes wet, contaminated or otherwise soiled during the service call.
Avoid physical greetings like handshakes. Minimize indoor conversations. All conversations with the service providers should take place outdoors, when possible, and physically distanced indoors, if necessary. Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from the service provider, and limit interactions between the service provider and other household members and pets.
All of the things we learned back in March are still just as important. During indoor services, take steps to maximize ventilation inside the home, such as turning on the air conditioner or opening windows in the area.
After the visit, if possible, use touchless payment options or pay over the phone to avoid touching money, a card, or a keypad. If you must handle money, a card, or use a keypad, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol after paying.
After the service is completed, clean and disinfect any surfaces in your home that may have been touched by the service provider.
You’ve been careful about keeping your house clean during the pandemic. Its the most important investment you have, and we’re all likely to be in this spot for a while yet. Should you want a respite from the house cleaning, just be mindful.
Your house cleaner is going on to the next job. You’ll be at home. Respond accordingly.
