Sharing a washroom If you and the sick personmust share a bathroom, ensure that the toilet lid is down before flushing and always clean and disinfect the bathroom after each use. COVID-19 Caring for someone with COVID-19 at home If you’re providing care for a friend, spouse or partner who is ill, you’ll need to take care of themwhile protecting yourself. Your first step is to ensure that you have essential supplies on hand, including: • A thermometer • Medical masks (such as surgical masks) • Eye protection (a face shield or goggles) • Disposable gloves • Non-prescription medication to reduce fever (such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or ASA) • Tissues • Disposable paper towels • Touch-free waste container with a plastic liner • Dish soap, hand soap and laundry soap • Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. You will also need household supplies to keep your home as infection-free as possible, including: • A one-step cleaning/disinfecting product • Cleaning products for electronics (such as alcohol wipes) • A hard-surface COVID-19 disinfectant approved by the government (in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency has “List N,” which catalogues disinfectants expected to kill SARS-CoV-2). Provide the sick person with supportive care (ensure that they get rest and lots of fluids, medication to reduce fever, if necessary) and ensure that they get the help they need if their symptoms worsen (see “COVID 411” and “COVID 911”). Part of caring for a sick person is keeping the environment as clean and virus-free as possible. In addition to your usual cleaning, be sure to regularly (preferably daily) clean and disinfect the high-touch surfaces in your home, such as toilets, doorknobs, phones, bedside tables, television remotes, laundry containers and any other objects or surfaces that both you and the sick person may touch during the course of the day. Electronics such as tablets, cellular/smart phones and keyboards should be cleaned with alcohol prep wipes containing at least 70% alcohol. How long should you isolate? If you have a positive PCR test and no symptoms: 10 days If you have a positive PCR test and symptoms: Until symptoms end (minimum 10 days), then wait 3 additional days. If you haven’t been able to get tested, talk to your doctor or health-care provider to determine how long you need to isolate. 38 | www.snowbirds.org
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