Right now is a stressful time for everyone, but especially essential workers. Healthcare professionals, grocery store workers, and other essential workers are providing necessary services during this pandemic, but, by not staying home and quarantining, they risk potential infection.
With that in mind, if you live with an essential worker, there are certain precautionary measures you should keep in mind.
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Speaking to Channel 5 News in Nashville, Dr. David Aronoff, the director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, explained the kinds of preventative measures that should be implemented if you live with an essential worker.
For essential workers who are not in direct contact with coronavirus patients, Aronoff emphasizes the importance of good hygiene, recommending that they wash their hands or take a shower immediately after getting home (depending on their level of exposure).
He also recommends leaving the jewelry at home: "Probably limiting the amount of foreign objects that are near your face, or exposed to others, or might dangle and could touch surfaces ... is prudent."
For healthcare workers, he recommends extra precautionary steps.
The article explains, "[Aranoff] said healthcare workers who have direct contact with COVID-19 patients should leave their clothes in the garage, or put them in the washing machine immediately."
It's also a good idea to take shoes off before going inside. With that in mind, establishing a decontamination area (like the garage or mud room) could be a good way to establish a healthy hygiene routine for essential workers coming home.
Beyond these basic guidelines, it's good idea for essential workers to check in with their healthcare provider to assess any further precautionary measures they should take, especially if they live with someone who is high-risk.
