It is so important for everyone to stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the best way you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and everyone else. In many US states, stay-at-home orders have been issued to slow the spread of the virus.
People with IBD (Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease) may be at greater risk associated with COVID-19. The chart on the left, put together for the Crohn’s and Colitis Canada shows the risks of COVID-19 associated with age, inflammation severity, and commonly prescribed medication for IBD.
We hope you stay home, but if you MUST go outside for groceries, essential work, or health care related needs, here are a few hygiene precautions:
Before You Go:
- Wear a Mask (Instructions for how to make one). Use our instructions on how to choose the right material and how to make a mask. Wash your hands thoroughly before putting on a masks. Make sure the masks sits comfortably on your face before you leave your home. If you use disposable masks, prepare a trash bag or bin at the entrance door to dispose of the mask when you return. If you use a cloth mask you intend to re-use, prepare a jar with alcohol or bleach solution, best if it’s a closed one.
- Wear Latex Gloves if you have them.
- Cover Your Hair when going outside. The virus can survive on the hair. If you have long hair, consider tying it and covering with a bandana, a headscarf, or a pishmana (you can improvise a headscarf from any pillowcase or t-shirt); for very short hair a hat or a cap could work, but remember that it must be washed immediately on your return, so avoid things that might not endure the wash.
- Bring Sanitizing Wipes (You can make some). If you go grocery shopping, you can use these to sanitize your cart. If you don’t have the store-bought disinfecting wipes, you can wet a few tissues, paper towel sheets, or a piece of cloth with a bleach solution and place them in a ziplock bag to use when you need them.
To Make a Bleach Solution: 2 Tablespoons of Bleach per 1 Quart (Liter) of Water. If you have an empty spray bottle, you can use it to make a disinfectant spray. Clean the bottle thoroughly and remember that other household cleaners might interact with bleach.
While You Are Out:
- Avoid Crowds & Maintain Distance. Maintain the recommended 6-foot (2 meters) distance from other people.
- Be Aware of the Things You Touch While Out. Shopping carts and baskets, door knobs, shopping counters. If you must touch the things you share with others, feel free to disinfect them with your wipes first.
- Do Not Touch Your Face, Eyes, or Mask While Out. We are all struggling not to touch our faces, but this is essential.
- Remember Your Mask is Good for Only 2 Hours. As per medical guidance, a mask should be used for 2 hours and then replaced. Bring a few masks with you in a clean ziplock bag if you plan to be out for longer. If the mask is disposable, be it even homemade – do not try to reuse it. Throw it out in the garbage.
When You Return Home:
- Take Off Your Mask at the Entrance Door. To take it off safely, handle it only by the straps, do not touch the mask itself. Dispose of it in a bin or a bag by the entrance door. If you use a cloth mask – place it in a jar with alcohol or bleach solution.
- Take Off Your Shoes at the Entrance Door. You should disinfect them with a bleach solution or with Alcohol over 60%. You can spread a towel soaked in bleach solution by the entrance door, that way you come in and disinfection is easy.
- Wash Your Latex Gloves while you are wearing them and disinfect them with bleach solution or Alcohol over 60%. This must be done thoroughly, especially if you plan on reusing them as they are in short supply.
- Take Off Your Head Covering and the Clothes You Have Worn While Outside. Wash these immediately. If you are the only person in your household going out or if you live with a vulnerable person, you can wash these “outside” clothes separately in warm or hot water. Feel free to take a shower if you are very concerned. Wear clean clothes. If you wear a jacket outside and it is hard to wash, you can dampen a piece of cloth in alcohol and disinfect your jacket. Do not do this with bleach solution as it may discolor your clothes.
- Disinfect Your Glasses or Sunglasses you have work while out. Contagious spittle particles can also land on your glasses.
- Disinfect What You Brought From the Outside. Boxes, parcels, bags, handbags, backpacks, packaging, takeout boxes. You can wipe non-perishables them with a cloth dampened with bleach solution. Do not wipe produce with bleach solution.
With the COVID-19 out there, going out has become more laborious. We hope you stay home for your safety, the safety of your loved ones and everyone out there. As always, a reminder to wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds throughout the day.
Some of the information in our COVID-19 posts may be useful to other high-risk people. We hope you share any information you may find useful with them.