Over the past few weeks, you've been stuck at home without any outings or visitors. Then suddenly, something goes wrong—your toilet breaks, your dishwasher starts making a grinding noise, or maybe your sink begins leaking. In our case, we woke up one morning to find no internet connection. Clearly, you need to bring in some outside help.
As much as we’d all like to avoid inviting strangers into our homes, sometimes it becomes necessary. While it's always great to learn basic DIY skills—YouTube is a fantastic resource for that—you might not always have the luxury of doing everything yourself. If that’s the case, you'll need to prepare carefully to ensure the safety of both you and the person coming over.
Here’s what you need to consider:
First, you must assume that everyone, regardless of how healthy they appear, could be carrying the virus. Many cases of COVID-19 are asymptomatic, and people can spread the virus before showing any symptoms.
Social distancing remains the best way to prevent transmission, so make sure that anyone not essential to the task leaves the house. Have a clear plan to mitigate potential airborne viral particles, as SARS-CoV-2 can linger in the air for up to three hours.
Surface contamination is another concern, so have a plan to clean and disinfect any surfaces the visitor might touch. Don’t forget to think about other possible vectors, like shoes and feces, if you want to go the extra mile.
Before the visitor arrives, try to negotiate safety protocols with them. Emphasize that these precautions benefit both parties.
A few caveats are worth noting. Some people might feel offended by being treated as potential carriers, so handle things diplomatically but firmly. Remember, these measures protect not just you and your family but also the person visiting your home.
Most importantly, remember that these tips are merely mitigation strategies, not foolproof ways to prevent infection. The safest approach is still to avoid letting strangers into your home altogether.
### Breathing Safely
The primary mode of SARS-CoV-2 transmission is through the air, so managing both your breathing and the visitor’s is crucial. Studies show that the virus can survive in the air for up to three hours.
To limit airborne particles:
- **Distance**: Try to stay as far away from the visitor as possible. Ideally, you and your family should leave the house while the visitor works. However, if that’s not feasible, send out non-essential members of your household to minimize exposure.
- **Face Coverings**: Insist that both you and the visitor wear masks. N95 respirators are ideal but hard to come by. If you opt for homemade masks, consider providing extras for guests. After use, these masks should be washed immediately.
- **Ventilation**: Open windows and turn on fans to improve airflow. Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter if possible, placing it in the area the visitor will spend the most time.
- **Time**: If possible, keep the house empty for at least three hours after the visitor leaves. If that’s not possible, avoid using the room they were in for the same duration.
### Surface Disinfection
After addressing air contamination, focus on surfaces. The virus can survive on hands and surfaces for hours or even days. Once the visitor has left, thoroughly disinfect any surfaces they may have touched, including tables, counters, and floors.
Common disinfectants include:
- Rubbing alcohol (70% or higher)
- Clorox disinfectant wipes
- Lysol spray
- Bleach (4 teaspoons per quart of water)
For more detailed guidance, refer to the CDC’s cleaning and disinfecting recommendations.
### Other Considerations
While less discussed, fecal transmission is theoretically possible. If your visitor uses your restroom, ventilate and sanitize it thoroughly.
Shoes can also spread contaminants. Ideally, guests should remove their shoes before entering, but this may not always be practical. An alternative is to provide disposable shoe covers or disinfect their shoes with a spray cleaner.
### Putting It All Together
Here’s an example of how to implement these strategies:
1. Before calling the visitor, discuss safety measures like social distancing and mask usage.
2. Determine the areas they’ll need access to and lock off unnecessary rooms. Open windows and turn on fans in accessible areas.
3. When the visitor arrives, leave the house with your family, leaving a key or unlocked door for them.
4. Place a bottle of disinfectant by the door and ask them to clean their shoes, especially the soles.
5. Offer a mask and ask them to wear it indoors.
6. Have them notify you when they’re finished. Payment can be arranged electronically or via mail.
7. Stay out of the house for at least three hours after they leave.
8. Return alone and masked, then thoroughly clean the house.
9. Wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
This process may not always be practical, but the core principles remain the same: maintain distance, wear protective gear, and disinfect surfaces.
These measures are mitigation strategies, not guarantees. Combined, however, they can significantly reduce the risk of infection.
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