According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coronaviruses (CoV) form part of zoonotic viruses transmitted from animals to humans. They cause various types of illnesses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the common cold.
Covid19 is a new strain that is part of a family of enveloped RNA viruses. Some of the known strains from the coronavirus family are yet to infect humans. With the novel coronavirus, an infected person can experience shortness of breath, fever, and coughing. In severe cases, some patients face kidney failure, pneumonia, SARS, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), or death.
Scientists linked the first cases of the coronavirus to a live animal market located in Wuhan, a city in China’s Hubei province. Experts believe that animal to human transmission occurred at the market.
Once the virus infects humans, person-to-person transmission occurs when an individual comes into respiratory secretions of an infected person.
However, Covid19 can spread through contact with infected surfaces. Hence, the need to disinfect surfaces and install polyurea floors, which help prevent infections. Scientists are working tirelessly to understand how the disease works. They are unclear whether the corona virus is transmissible via the fecal-oral route.
Additionally, they are working hard to determine the role of respiratory droplets in person-to-person transmission. It appears that Covid19 is more transmissible than SARS, which caused chaos in the early 2000s. Some experts highlight similarities between influenza and the new coronavirus.
Some people (known as super-spreaders) transmit the virus more than others. On the other hand, elderly people and individuals with underlying health conditions are more likely to experience severe symptoms. While some children have tested positive for Covid19, they appear less likely to get infected than adults.
Preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus
The World Health Organization (WHO) has published guidelines for preventing the spread of Covid19. To reduce the risk of transmission, it urges people to wash hands frequently. Experts recommend washing hands thoroughly using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Doing so kills the corona virus.
The organization urges people to avoid traveling to countries with confirmed cases, such as Italy, Germany, South Africa, China, Japan, and Iran. Social distancing is another way to reduce the risk of contracting the disease. Medical experts recommend avoid handshakes and maintaining a distance of at least three feet (one meter) from people.
Maintaining the recommended distance prevents contact with respiratory secretions associated with sneezing and coughing. Fluid droplets from the mouth or nose may contain the virus. Standing too close to people makes it easier to breathe in respiratory droplets.
In addition to the proper handwashing technique, limited travel, and social distancing, you should avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose. Hands may come into contact with infected surfaces or banknotes. Once contaminated, your hands will pass the novel coronavirus to the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Practicing respiratory hygiene is vital to inhibiting the spread of the disease. Always cover your nose and mouth using an elbow or fresh tissue when you feel the need to cough or sneeze. Proceed to discard the tissue in a trash can immediately to avoid posing risks for people around you.
Sanitization of your living or workspace is essential in the fight against Covid19. Also, consider installing floor coating capable of counteracting bacterial or viral infection. Polyurea floors provide a viable solution capable of reducing the risk of contamination.
Disinfecting surfaces
Invisible respiratory droplets can trigger mild or severe illness due to the transmission of the new coronavirus. An infected person can contaminate surfaces and the air around them. As a result, nearby people inhale the infected droplets or come into contact with contaminated surfaces.
To break the cycle of transmission, disinfect surfaces and apply floor coating that prevents infection. Studies conducted by the Emory University revealed that regular household disinfectants like a diluted bleach solution and soap can kill Covid19 on surfaces.
Enveloped coronaviruses come with a protective fat layer. Fortunately, ordinary household disinfectants can rupture the protective layer and deactivate the virus. According to a report published in the Journal of Hospital Infection, Covid19 can remain active in the air for three hours. Furthermore, the virus can persist on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for up to 72 hours.
Failure to wash hands regularly can lead to transmission. The CDC reported that there is no clear indication that the corona virus can spread via swimming pools, drinking water, or hot tubs. Meanwhile, authorities in China and South Korea are using household bleach or a diluted sodium hypochlorite solution for outdoor sanitization.
However, experts are unclear whether the bleach solution is effective outdoors. Exposure to ultraviolet light breaks down bleach. Yet, experts noted that it appears that the corona virus also breaks down due to persistent exposure to UV light. On the other hand, the downside of using bleach for sanitization is that the solution irritates the mucous membranes.
Benefits of polyurea floor coating
Installing the ideal type of floor or coating is a practical way to reduce the risk of infection. A protective coating can help prevent viral and bacterial infection in gyms, stadiums, playgrounds, restaurants, homes, and offices. Polyurea floors are easy to clean and provide a protective coating to help fight against the coronavirus.
This type of flooring inhibits bacteria infestation; hence, you find it in medical facilities. It creates a seamless surface that prevents the buildup of mold and other contaminants. Polyurea coatings enhance slip-resistance without compromising on aesthetic appeal.
The ideal floor coating for plazas, schools, airports, and government buildings stays clean for longer and prevents contamination by the Covid19. The formation of bacteria or mold compromises the health of occupants. Hence, the need to consider installing a protective coating like polyurea.
Flooring with seams allows water and a wide variety of contaminants to accumulate, thus undermining the health of occupants. As the corona virus spreads around the world, you should consider preventing infections by installing polyurea floors. This type of floor coating seals cracks and crevices to counteract the buildup of contaminants.
Polyurea coating is also effective at repelling water, thus inhibiting the growth of mold and mildew. Unlike epoxy coatings, polyurea is resistant to chemical spills and stains. For this reason, polyurea offers significant benefits when applied in homes, commercial buildings, hospitals, and nursing homes.
