Keeping Your Home & Car Coronavirus Free [Expert Advice]

The Truth in a Nutshell:

• Contaminated, often-touched surfaces are one of the biggest carriers of the coronavirus
• People with mild or no symptoms are causing the majority of new COVID-19 cases
• It’s important to practice social distancing and, if required, sheltering in place
• Washing your hands thoroughly is still the best thing you can do to protect against coronavirus

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Let’s face it: the coronavirus has us all worried. It’s affecting not only our daily lives but also our jobs and the larger economy, as well as taking over every article we read and news report we listen to. And with a COVID-19 second wave of infections looming in every state, our focus probably won’t be changing any time soon.

These are scary times during this pandemic, but you can do a lot to protect yourself and your loved ones. We’ll focus specifically on keeping your home and car coronavirus free in this guide.

We’ll also look at some easily confused terms — such as social distancing and shelter in place — being bandied about right now on social media, in the news, and in everyday conversations.

The better informed you are, the safer you will be to protect you and your family against this quickly spreading pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic, unfortunately, impacts both health and life insurance. While these situations are tricky, there are many ways you can save on insurance. The easiest and quickest way is to compare insurance quotes from different companies.

Enter your ZIP code into our free online quote comparison tool to find the best insurance quotes in your area based on your personal insurance needs.

Like with coronavirus terminology, insurance has its own technical terms as well. If insurance has intimidated you before when you try to learn about it, we have a page that breakdowns insurance terms. This glossary of insurance terms will help you understand what insurers mean when they talk about terms like admitted carrier and garage policy.

Now, let’s get to the coronavirus and keeping yourself safe. Read on to find out more about how to protect your home, car, and yourself against the coronavirus through active sanitization and care.

How do you sanitize your home against coronavirus?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that the “transmission of coronavirus occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through fomites,” fomites being objects or materials which are likely to carry infection, such as clothes, utensils, and furniture.

Despite this, the coronavirus is a novel virus, meaning little is known about how it actually lives and transmits. Because of this, the CDC recommends a thorough process of household cleaning and disinfecting. They explain:

• Cleaning: refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
• Disinfecting: refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

So what and how do you clean and disinfect your house to protect against the coronavirus?

The objects in the graphic above are frequently touched objects in the home where germs tend to gather and thrive. Every day, you should clean these objects with CDC- or EPA-approved sprays or wipes.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides an extensive table of products that can be used to kill the coronavirus and other easily communicable viruses on commonly-touched surfaces throughout your home. Their searchable table includes valuable information such as product brand names and contact time as well as emerging viral pathogen claims.

As you prepare and maintain your home to combat coronavirus, you will also want to see who is covered under your homeowners policy in case you have to call upon your insurance company during this pandemic.

Homeowner’s insurance policies cover different things, and it’s essential to know if your policy is inadequate during this pandemic. To get more information, check out our types of homeowners insurance article to see the differences in certain types of homeowners insurance and see what events or situations are covered under these plans.

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How do you sanitize your vehicle against coronavirus?

Consumer Reports makes an important point:

“A car’s interior is less durable than, say, a kitchen counter or bathroom sink. So how do you protect those surfaces without damaging them?”

Many of the same cleaners the CDC and EPA recommend for sanitizing your home are perfect for protecting your car against coronavirus. Remember: the CDC recommends cleaning products with alcohol solutions of at least 70 percent.

And also be sure to cleanse those often touched, but often overlooked parts of your vehicle featured in the graphic below.

Heed this important warning about your vehicle from Consumer Reports:

“Whatever you do, don’t use bleach or hydrogen peroxide on the inside of your car…they will likely damage your car’s upholstery. And do not use ammonia-based cleaners on car touch screens, as they can damage their anti-glare and anti-fingerprint coatings.”

In the video below, Dr. Richard Tubb, a retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general who served as White House physician for three U.S. presidents, explains the best disinfection techniques you can use in both your vehicle and home to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

And though your vehicle is unlikely to be affected by the coronavirus in any serious way, it’s always a good idea to know what your auto insurance policy covers.

If you need help understanding your policy or your rights as an insurance consumer, check out our list of each state department of insurance contact information in the United States.

We know that many folks are hitting the road, which is a safer way to travel than air or public transit during the coronavirus pandemic. As you and your family plan road trips, make sure you check out coronavirus responsible behaviors by state to see which states have the safest measures.

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What if you can’t find effective disinfectants in the store?

As people begin to hoard cleaning supplies, disinfectants for your car or home might become hard to find or prohibitively expensive. But don’t worry; you can easily make your own effective disinfectants.

Here’s a really simple recipe to make a powerful bleach disinfectant spray from stuff you probably already have at home:

• Start with a quart of water in an empty spray bottle
• Add 4 teaspoons of bleach to the bottle
• Shake the bottle vigorously
• Spray on any bleach-safe surface to disinfect
• Let the disinfectant sit for 10 minutes
• Wipe away with a wet cloth

Just remember to use bleach only where it won’t damage surfaces. This is especially important if you plan on using it in your vehicle, where bleach can damage certain textures and fabrics.

It’s also important to note that not all cleaning product waste can be flushed down the toilet. In a recent news release, the California Water Boards explained that:

“Flushing wipes, paper towels, and similar products down toilets will clog sewers and cause backups and overflows at wastewater treatment facilities, creating an additional public health risk in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.”

Instead of sending those wipes down the drain, place them in the trash. We don’t need to add more potential problems during an already-stressful public health crisis.

What is the difference between social distancing and sheltering in place?

If you’re paying attention to the news surrounding the coronavirus, chances are you’re hearing the phrases “social distancing” and “sheltering in place.” These phrases can be confusing and are often used interchangeably to the public’s detriment.

How are the two directives different? In the graphic below, we explain the difference between social distancing and sheltering in place.

In the video below from ABC 10 in California — one of the states hit hardest by this global coronavirus — you will find some helpful tips on differentiating social distancing, sheltering in place, and other rules and regulations being imposed by health officials.

Of course, it’s also important to check with your local health department to see what is being recommended or required in your area.

Whether you’re social distancing or sheltering in place, you may find yourself working from home. Believe it or not, remote work amidst the pandemic will also require a level of precaution, particularly when it comes to keeping your network and data secure. Our advice? Take every measure necessary to protect your at-home connection.

If you’re wondering what to do in your area or during this pandemic more broadly, the CDC has created a thorough, interactive guide to inform the public about preventing the spread of the coronavirus as much as possible during this time of fear and lack of knowledge.

It’s also important to understand the official names surrounding this pandemic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the coronavirus disease is officially called COVID-19, and the virus that leads to the disease is called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

As many doctors’ offices and clinics are currently overrun, many folks are turning to telemedicine apps to check in with a licensed physician. In the table below, you can find the 10 best free telemedicine apps:

The 10 Best Telemedicine Apps

In this table, both iPhone and Android ratings are out of five stars. And although all these apps are free to download, it’s important to note that they do charge for virtual visits, so make sure you read thoroughly before checking in with your virtual doctor.

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So how do we wash our hands correctly anyway?

Again, the CDC is one of our best sources for how to wash our hands correctly, which is one of the best ways to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The CDC explains that you should wash your hands:

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the bathroom
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching garbage

But how do you wash your hands correctly, as a surgeon might before entering the operating room? Under normal circumstances, we might just run our hands under the faucet and shake off the excess water.

But these times we are living in are not normal circumstances. These are times of pandemic, and we must take every chance we can to ensure not only our own health but also the health of those we come into contact with.

The CDC explains that you should follow these five steps every time you wash your hands:

1. Wet: your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather: your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub: your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse: your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry: your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

That 20 seconds can be confusing if you’re not watching a clock. National Public Radio’s Marc Silver came up with a great solution; he provides a list of songs that can be sung to get you to that 20-second mark.

Also, how do you teach kids to properly wash their hands? In the video below, Dr. Latania Logan, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Rush University Medical Center, offers some great advice for parents, teachers, or anyone who works with kids.

In all honesty, that’s some helpful handwashing advice for us all, no matter how old we are. Speaking of kids, what cleaning products are safer to use around their growing selves? According to Motherly, five easily-found products not only clean surfaces thoroughly but also keep kids safe:

1. Method All-Purpose Natural Surface Cleaner
2. The Shark
3. Babyganics Stain & Odor Remover Spray
4. The Honest Company Bathroom Tub & Tile Cleaner in Eucalyptus Mint
5. AmazonBasics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

We want to protect against coronavirus — and many other seasonal viruses that affect us regularly — but we don’t want to introduce dangerous chemicals into our household, especially if that home contains growing children.

Tricks and Methods to Keep You Coronavirus Free

We asked a variety of experts to weigh in on how to protect your home and vehicle — and yourself — from the coronavirus. We’re proud to include the advice below from doctors and auto experts, cleaning professionals, and home improvement specialists.

“There are concerns and common sense, and then there is hysteria and panic. When It comes to the coronavirus, people take care of the outside of their car by bringing it to a car wash, but the inside of their vehicle probably doesn’t get as good a cleaning, which means it could be filled with a lot of germs that can lead to a cold, the virus, or the flu.

The average vehicle has approximately 283 different types of bacteria in every square inch. That bacteria needs to be eliminated, especially if a family member has the flu.

The average steering wheel has four times more bacteria on it than a typical public toilet seat. There are 629 colony-forming units (CFUs) of bacteria on an average steering wheel, compared to just 172 on a toilet seat.

The truth is, the germiest spots in cars are the front seat cup holder (1,179 germs), the dashboard air vent (1,082 germs), and the driver-side floor mats (1,197 germs). The difference is actually quite huge, with the steering wheel only containing 629 germs, while the door handle has only 375.

Use disinfectant wipes to clean the interior of your car daily. Make sure that the dashboard, gearstick, cup holder, and steering wheel get special attention. Don’t overlook all the knobs and armrests.

Remember to apply the cleaner to a rag and then to the car, so you don’t damage the interior. Use household products in your home and automotive products in your car. 

Bonus: We never think of our vehicles as having anything but clean air in the passenger compartment, but studies have proven that the air in the cabin, as it’s called, can be worse than the air outside due to mold, mildew, and other contaminants.

Change your cabin air filter or have it changed for you. Contaminants such as pollen, dust, mold spores, and smog can easily enter a vehicle’s passenger compartment through the air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems, making the air in the car six times dirtier than the air outside.

While plenty of people eat in their cars, not to mention sneeze, only 32 percent of them wash their interiors annually. Clean your car, wash your hands, and stay home if you are sick.  This virus, like the flu season, will pass soon, but your vehicle needs to remain clean for your health.”

Lauren Fix, The Car Coach, is an auto expert, race car driver, and keynote speaker.
She is an award-winning published author of three automotive books.

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How can people best sanitize their house to combat the spread of the coronavirus?
“People can best sanitize their house using products containing alcohol or a bleach base or other antiseptic such as ammonium chloride. All of these products can kill viruses.”

How can people best sanitize their vehicles to combat the spread of the coronavirus?
“The same as above using alcohol, bleach, or ammonium chloride-based products. Do not use pure alcohol or pure bleach or pure ammonium chloride; use only products that are made for cleaning and have already been appropriately diluted.”

What products do you specifically recommend to disinfect and sanitize your car and home?
“My favorite product is Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, which contains alcohol and bleach. However, if this is not available, the next best product would be Lysol Disinfecting Wipes, which contain ammonium chloride, an antiseptic which can kill viruses and bacteria.”

Do you have any personal cleaning tips for complete sanitization?
“The best suggestion is to clean your house once daily at the end of the day. Another suggestion is that if you go outside, leave your shoes and coats by the door or in your garage. Try to avoid bringing them into the house since they may have viruses on them.”

Do you have any stories related to the coronavirus you’d be willing to share?
“I can share that the hospital where I work is very focused on personal protective equipment (PPE) for the staff and has provided training for staff on the proper use of PPE.  Another one of their concerns is making sure we have enough staff to care for patients so, in an effort to ensure we have adequate staff, new schedules have been created to rotate staff.”

What resources are you looking for to keep you and your family safe during this pandemic?
“I am looking at basic things such as wearing gloves when going to a store, using hand sanitizer, and leaving coats and shoes in the garage.

Since I am a physician, I have also gotten into the routine of changing clothes and showering as soon as I get home to ensure no droplets with virus particles are anywhere on my skin. This is important because the virus can live on our skin for hours and be infectious.”

Dr. Maria Vila, D.O. is a board-certified physician in family and integrative medicine.
Dr. Vila is a medical advisor for eMediHealth and has been a physician for over 16 years.

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“All Fix Auto USA locations have immediately implemented several sanitation, health, and hygiene practices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic we’re experiencing.

Because we’re considered an ‘essential business,’ each store is taking extra precautions when cleaning their locations and greeting and interacting with customers.

To make the repair experience easy for customers, we’ve introduced two contactless options:

1. Fix Signature Care: With our Fix Signature Care program, our shops will retrieve a vehicle and drop off a rental at a location the customer is comfortable with.
2. Curbside Concierge: If a customer wants to drive their car to our shops, we’ll meet them in our parking lot or on the curb, and the repair experience will take place with the customer never leaving their vehicle.

Because vehicles are an essential connection to our health and safety, we’re going above and beyond to ensure customers are kept safe and able to get back on the road as quickly as possible. In order to keep our customers, partners, and store associates safe and healthy, we have had to implement a number of safety actions under the guidance of the CDC and public health officials.

At each of our locations, we’re taking a wide range of actions to ensure safety:

• The entire shop is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected twice daily.
• All associates are required to wash their hands, as often as possible, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
• We will maintain adequate space between all personal interactions.
• Customers will be greeted without a handshake but a warm “Hello, and welcome to Fix Auto!”
• When customers arrive, we ensure they remove all personal belongings from their vehicle (phone chargers, garage door openers, backpacks, sunglasses, etc.).
• Customers’ vehicles will be disinfected twice: once at drop-off and again at pick-up. We’re paying particular attention to buttons, levers, knobs, and high-touch surfaces.
• The vehicle steering wheel and driver’s seat will be covered in plastic during repairs for customer safety.
• Paperwork can be printed or emailed to you based on your preference.

We are decreasing contact between customers and shop associates and are doing all we can to disinfect all areas in human contact throughout each workday.”

Dennis O’Mahoney is the VP of business development and marketing at Fix Auto USA.
Fix Auto USA is a network of over 150 auto body shops across the United States.

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“Two things on the coronavirus and combating it: You need to clean, and you need to disinfect.

So in relation to the home, you need to clean all surfaces (especially heavily used ones) with any type of soap and hot water. I personally recommend Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap, which is organic and incredibly potent.

Once that’s done, you need to disinfect using either wipes or a disinfectant spray. And this should be done daily.

With respect to cars, do the same. Soap and water first, then a disinfectant. Focus on the steering wheel but also anything that is touched often, such as door handles, locks, radio buttons, window buttons, and seatbelts. Dr. Bronner’s will work well in cars, and for wipes, try Lysol Handi-Pack Disinfectant Wipes.

As far as personal cleaning tips beyond that of your home and car? Wash your hands. It’s that simple. And do so often. Wash your hands before you eat, after you eat, and after you do anything to where you think you may have touched something that could have the virus.

That sounds kind of radical, but let me tell you — in the past week, I have become a hand-washing freak. And although I get a few laughs from my co-workers and some family members, all I tell them is that if I’m alive two months from now, we can both laugh at my behavior. Is that paranoid? Maybe, but I think it’s more of basic preventative caution.

As far as resources I am using to keep myself and my family safe during this pandemic, I am really using quite a bit of them. I regularly check the CDC website, but I also check on national news updates as well.

But here’s something else that might be helpful. Although this is a global and obviously national pandemic, it does seem to be centralized. For example, New York City and the states of Washington and California have all been hard hit. So while it’s important to monitor those stories, to me, it’s even more important to monitor local events.

I live in suburban Atlanta, where the outbreak hasn’t been as severe, but it is spreading. So to me, that means that I have to be plenty vigilant, but not necessarily over the board paranoid.”

David Bakke, based out of Atlanta, is a lifestyle expert at DollarSanity.com.
Dollar Sanity is a financial education website that helps 50,000 readers monthly.

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“The Maids’ cleaning methods reduce allergy and asthma symptoms by minimizing indoor air contaminants, which trigger allergic and asthmatic reactions.

The system is based on a 22-step plan of action that combines healthy cleaning products — safe for use around kids and pets, with innovative cleaning equipment, a strategic cleaning plan, and strict attention to detail. Below are our tips.

The best way to disinfect your home is by creating a routine. Here are a few things you can do to help protect yourself and your family:

Kitchen:

• Clean and disinfect countertops, sink hardware, cabinet pulls, appliance handles, and cutting boards.
• Replace dish towels consistently.
• Clean spills immediately so they don’t attract more dirt and bacteria.
• Take out your garbage daily and disinfect trash cans each time.
• Wash kitchen sink strainers in the dishwasher.
• Remove and hand wash the oven and range knobs.

Bathroom:

• Clean and disinfect the bathroom faucet and handles.
• Take out your garbage daily and disinfect trash cans each time.
• Disinfect the outside of the toilet.
• Only use bath towels once to prevent mold and bacteria.
• Wash or replace your toothbrush.
• Clean and disinfect your bathtub and shower, including the shower doors and handles.

Other rooms:

• Wash bedding in hot water.
• Mop hard-surface floors and vacuum carpets.
• Disinfect all electronics.

Household Items Can Help
You can utilize appliances around your home to help you disinfect as well. Sanitizing dishwashers can be used to disinfect pet bowls, scrub pads, some kids’ toys, and more.

Some air purifiers use UV rays which are known to kill germs (but should not be used to replace cleaning and sanitizing).

A steam cleaner can be used to disinfect items that you can’t throw in the washer. Steam has the potential to kill about 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria. They can also remove dirt that may be hiding bacteria from carpet, upholstery, and other fabrics.”

Jessica Samson is a communications manager at The Maids.
The Maids is a nationwide service specializing in cleaning for health.

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What are the symptoms of the coronavirus?

“As we know, the coronavirus is a serious virus that can cause severe respiratory illness in people of all ages. Not only can it cause pneumonia, but it can also lead to severe lung damage and even death.

The symptoms of the coronavirus can range from mild to severe and can include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain.”

What can I do to prevent the coronavirus from entering my home?

“There are several things that you can do to help keep your home and car coronavirus free. First, always practice safekeeping practices when handling any type of infectious material. This means being careful not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth after coming in contact with something that may be contaminated with the virus.

You can also help prevent the virus from spreading by following guidelines for hand-washing and sneezing/coughing etiquette. Finally, if you are traveling to an area where the coronavirus is prevalent, make sure to take steps to avoid getting infected, such as washing your hands often and avoiding close contact with sick people.”

What can I do to keep the coronavirus out of my car?

“There are a few things you can do to help keep the coronavirus out of your car. First, always wash your hands thoroughly if you come in contact with the virus.

Second, avoid touching your face or any other surfaces that may have been exposed to the virus. Finally, clean your car by washing all surfaces regularly and keeping it free of clutter.

Keeping your home & car coronavirus free is important in order to prevent severe respiratory illness. Be sure to take the necessary precautions in order to stay safe and healthy.”

Kristian Crowe is the CEO of AboveItAllRoofing.ca.
His company provides home repairs and renovations.

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How can people best sanitize their house to combat the spread of the coronavirus?

“There are a few key things you can do to sanitize your home and prevent the spread of the coronavirus. First, make sure to clean all surfaces regularly with soap and water. This includes countertops, doorknobs, light switches, floors, and furniture.

Second, it would help if you also disinfected high–touch areas in the house with a household cleaner like bleach or alcohol. Finally, keep your home well–ventilated by opening windows and doors when possible.”

How can people best sanitize their vehicles to combat the spread of the coronavirus?

“There are a few key things you can do to sanitize your vehicle and prevent the spread of the coronavirus. First, make sure to clean all surfaces in the car regularly with soap and water. This includes door handles, steering wheels, gear shifters, and any other areas that you frequently touch in the car. Try also to avoid getting the car dirty in the first place.

This means parking in covered areas or garages when possible and avoiding driving on dirt roads. If you get your car dirty, wash it as soon as possible. Use a mild soap and water solution, and avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners.

Regularly vacuum your car to remove any dirt or debris that has accumulated inside the vehicle. In addition, wipe down the interior surfaces of your car with a damp cloth to remove any dust or fingerprints. Finally, wax your car regularly to create a protective barrier against dirt and grime. You can keep your car clean, sanitary, and looking its best by taking these simple steps.”

What resources are you looking for to keep you and your family safe during this pandemic?

“There are a few key things you can do to keep your family safe during the coronavirus pandemic. You can take additional precautions, such as wearing face masks and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. Practicing these simple steps can help protect yourself and your family from the coronavirus.”

Ben Warren is the CEO of the StressReliever.Club.
His company reviews supplements and wellness products.

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How to Keep Your Home Clean

“The current coronavirus pandemic is rapidly spreading and has the potential to cause serious health problems. If you plan on traveling to any affected country, you must take steps to protect yourself from the virus.

• Get the lint roller out – Lint is one of the top contaminants that you can avoid. It’s also a good idea to clean the vents and filters on your air conditioning unit every week. All those dust bunnies and pet dander will be caught in the filter, and when it’s time to service the AC, you can sweep out the dust without having to vacuum first.
• Wipe down surfaces regularly – Even if you don’t see any dirt or dust on them, ensure all surfaces in your home are wiped down at least once a week. This includes light switches, doorknobs, door frames, countertops, and cabinets—even areas where pets might not usually gather, such as inside bathroom mirrors and behind pictures. You might also use a vacuum cleaner with an attachment specifically designed for cleaning up debris on hard surfaces.
• Dispose of materials properly – If there’s anything in your home that could potentially contain respiratory viruses like coronavirus, such as used tissues or aerosols, make sure to put them in a sealed container.

Getting into the habit of simple cleaning routines on a regular basis will help you minimize the risks of a potential outbreak in your household.”

How to Keep Your Car Clean

“A HEPA filter vacuum cleaner is the best way to keep your car clean. You can also use a car wash with special soap and water treatments to avoid spreading the coronavirus.

When you get your car washed, cover the seams of the doors and windows with plastic wrap or towels. Finally, always wash your hands thoroughly before and after getting in the car.”

Lily Wili is the CEO of Ever Wallpaper.
Her company designs custom mural wallpaper.

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How can people best sanitize their house to combat the spread of the coronavirus?
“Ideally, you need to clean the high-touch areas of your home frequently, which includes light switches, doorknobs, faucets, toilets, cabinet pulls and handles, and appliance handles.

If possible, you should also wash any soft furnishings as well, either by putting them through the laundry or using a cleanser designed to be safe for those surfaces — although you will want to test the cleaner in an inconspicuous area first.

You can always hire a professional cleaning service, especially if you are unable or unsure of how to effectively clean different surfaces. However, cleaning companies are handling a lot of calls right now, so after your deep clean, you may be on your own to maintain your home’s cleanliness.

If you believe that you have been in contact with someone that may have the virus, or if there is someone in your home that has the virus or that has been exposed, it’s important to clean the high touch areas more frequently to stop the spread between members of the family.

In addition, all people in the home should regularly wash their hands for at least 20 seconds using soap and warm water, particularly after coughing or sneezing, and ideally before touching your face. The more cleaning you are able to do, the fewer particles there may be on surfaces.”

What products do you specifically recommend to disinfect and sanitize your home?
“The CDC recommends using five tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water as an effective sanitizer. Any product containing more than 70 percent alcohol is also effective. The CDC is also keeping an up-to-date list of all products that are effective against the coronavirus.”

What resources are you looking at to keep you and your family safe during this pandemic?
“There is a lot of misinformation being spread about the virus, which may do more harm than good. Therefore, the best resources are coming directly from the CDC.”

Cristina Miguelez is a remodeling and home improvement specialist at Fixr.com.
Fixr connects consumers with service professionals for remodeling projects.

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Frequently Asked Questions: How to Prevent and Fight the Novel Coronavirus

We’ve covered how to prevent your car and home from being infected by COVID-19. Now, let’s get to the frequently asked questions that answer what the current treatments are for the coronavirus and address some common fears surrounding how you can contract it.

#1 – Are COVID-19 tests free?

Due to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, coronavirus testing is available for free to all citizens of America, including those without insurance. While you can be tested at local hospitals or health centers, many cities have set up independent testing centers where you can see results immediately on whether you have or don’t have the virus.

#2 – How contagious is the coronavirus disease?

While some leading medical authorities will say that they don’t know exactly how contagious the novel coronavirus is, there is little doubt that it spread across the world very quickly and shut down numerous countries, states, and cities as leaders tried to prevent further spread. In general, it spreads through mucus and droplets like the flu. However, there are studies that it spreads by respiration as well.

#3 – Can COVID-19 spread through food?

At this time, there is no evidence that COVID-19 can spread through food, food containers, or food packaging. In some instances, people have blamed food packaging from delivery services for contracting the coronavirus, as they had avoided being out of the house prior to the infection.

#4 – Is a headache sign of the coronavirus disease?

Yes, the novel coronavirus is known to cause a headache. This, along with other mild symptoms like sore throat and nasal congestion, are some of the most cited symptoms from people who are not hospitalized due to the illness. However, because these symptoms are so generic, it is easy to mistake them for symptoms of the flu or a cold. Only a complete test can tell if you have been infected with COVID-19 or not.

#5 – Is there a vaccine for the coronavirus disease?

In early August, Russia was the first country to announce that it had completed a vaccine against COVID-19. According to some authorities, however, Russia had not gone through the rigorous testing that other countries developing vaccines as the United Kingdom had. The U.K. is close to completing their and the pharmaceutical company that is developing the vaccine has promised to make it “at-cost” which means that the vaccine might be made free to citizens of various countries.

#6 – Can you contract the coronavirus disease from a package in the mail?

The primary mode the coronavirus spreads is through respiratory contagion — coughing and sneezing, for instance. While the coronavirus can last on surfaces for a short amount of time, it is unlikely that a person will contract the coronavirus from packages in the mail or from shipping services.

#7 – Do antibiotics work against the coronavirus?

No, antibiotics work only against bacterial infections. Because the coronavirus is a virus, doctors and medical professionals cannot use antibiotics to treat it, solely relying on various treatments, including using a drug meant for another illness on the coronavirus.

#8 – Why is COVID-19 a pandemic?

The coronavirus was labeled a pandemic because of the quick way it spread across the world, often jumping from country to country within days or weeks to the point that within a few months, it had spread throughout most of the world. Its contagion and spread led to the shutdowns of entire cities, states, and countries.

#9 – What antiviral drugs are available to treat the coronavirus disease?

As of early August, the FDC had not approved any specific drug for the treatment of the coronavirus. More informally, doctors have been using various drugs that are intended for other illnesses or more general common treatments in order to slow the coronavirus progression down in their patients.

#10 – Does drinking alcohol kill the coronavirus?

Drinking alcohol does not kill the coronavirus, according to medical authorities such as the World Health Organization. The WHO also adds that frequent and excessive alcohol consumption can be a detriment to the drinker’s health regardless of COVID-19 infection.

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Methodology: Finding the Best Way to Protect Against COVID-19

We know there is a lot of information about the coronavirus being put out into the world, from random YouTubers to cable news pundits with no medical expertise. This can be dangerous, especially for populations not trained to distinguish between good and bad information.

That’s why in this study, we tabulated safety data primarily from three federal government or international agencies: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the World Health Organization (WHO), whose role it is to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations system.

With so much misinformation being spread about as the coronavirus grows in scope, we took care to rely on sources that only report accurate scientific and medical information to complete our study on sanitizing your home and vehicle against this virus. We also ensured that the study was straightforward and not full of frivolous information. You don’t need more of that in your life right now.

While we focused on scientific and sanitary measures to keep yourself safe, there are other ways to protect yourself. This includes insurance, whether car insurance, health insurance, or life insurance. All are playing a role in the coronavirus pandemic.

Saving on insurance during these difficult economic times is a big win, and there’s no better way to save than by comparing insurance quotes.

Plug your ZIP code into our free online quote generator to discover the best insurance rates for you, based on your budget and insurance needs.

References:

1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/cleaning-disinfection.html
2. https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2
3. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/press_room/press_releases/2020/pr03172020_products_clogging_sanitation.pdf

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