COVID-19
The coronavirus pandemic spread fast and across nations over the past year. Hence, the virus quickly became a global pandemic, calling for many countries to shut down most economic activities and public places to halt its spread. The virus is a respiratory illness that can sometimes lead to serious health complications. Some people are at a higher risk of suffering severe illness than others. Below is some information to help nail salons in Tucson better prepare and prevent the further spread of the virus.
How Coronavirus Spreads
Coronavirus or COVID-19 is a new disease whose spread is fast and can affect anybody, irrespective of gender or age. Coronavirus can be spread when people come in close contact – often within six feet- with another person who is a carrier of the virus. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets produced by an already infected person. These respiratory droplets may be from talking, sneezing, or coughing.
While many people may be on the lookout for the signs and symptoms of the virus, it is important to note that some infected persons may be asymptomatic. These asymptomatic persons can also transfer the virus. The virus can also be contracted by touching an infected surface and touching the mouth, eyes, or nose with the infected hand.
As nail employees, there is a huge chance that you may come in contact with the virus during the discharge of your duties. This is mainly because you are required to be in close contact with the client. You can also come in contact by touching items like tools, cash, merchandise, or products that have been infected.
How To Protect Yourself And Others From Coronavirus
To protect yourself and others from contracting the virus, it is required that you should self-quarantine when you notice one or more of these symptoms;
– New loss of sense of smell or taste
– Cough
– Fever or chills
– Fatigue
– Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
– Muscle aches or aches around the body
– Runny or congested nose
– Headaches
– Diarrhea
– Vomiting or nausea
– Sore throat
A person may suffer one, two, or a combination of several symptoms due to the coronavirus infection. If you have noticed any of these symptoms, be sure to stay indoors. Avoid returning to work until after 10 days from when you first noticed the symptoms. During this period, contact your healthcare provider to discuss the possible health options and your symptoms. Confirm from your primary care provider before returning to work. Following the CDC recommended precautions is also recommended.
Common Precautions To Follow
Physical Distancing
- Stay at least six feet away from customers and coworkers whenever possible.
- Ensure that you avoid crowded spaces and always take turns using the restroom.
- Employ physical markings, stickers, or painting to help enforce physical distancing.
- Adopt portable ventilation units or ventilated tables. If unavailable, position ventilation units such that air is not blown from one person to another.
- Ensure that the nail section is properly spaced out so that multiple clients do not remain in close quarters of one another.
- Adopt the use of a transparent shield between employees and customers in the nail section. Make sure to stay on your side of the shield at all times.
Face Coverings
- If you must come in contact with a client, be sure to have a face covering on. A cloth face-covering does not guarantee protection against the virus; however, it can limit its spread. You can wear a cloth face-covering in the workplace and public.
- Surgical masks and/or respirators offer a higher degree of protection from the virus and should be recommended for both the staff and customer. Do not substitute surgical masks or respirators for cloth face coverings while at work.
- Ensure that your hands are properly washed with soap and water for at least 2 minutes before touching your face covering, surgical mask, or respirator. Also, make sure that you always have an alcohol-based hand sanitizer within reach as a substitute for handwashing.
- Avoid sharing nose masks or face covering with others.
Cleaning and Disinfection
- Ensure that all surfaces are properly cleaned and disinfected at all times. Make sure to use alcohol-based disinfectant to wipe surfaces and tools. Pay attention to areas like door handles, drawer handles, and other commonly touched tools and surfaces.
- Wear gloves when attending to customers and make sure that gloves are carefully removed after each use. This will protect you as well as the customer.
- Pay extra attention when disinfecting light switches, phones, sinks, keyboards, countertops, doorknobs, tables, and other surfaces.
Maintain General Personal Hygiene
Make sure to wash your hands at all times, including before and after food, before and after using the restroom, before, during, and after food preparation, after blowing your nose or sneezing in it, before and after attending to each client, before and after handling money, credit cards, and other payment solutions.
