How to maintain health and hygiene during gatherings
Keep these guidelines in mind before you go on your house visits.
Another year has come and gone, and we're readying for another round of gatherings and reunions over 2024. This is the time to catch up with relatives or friends who you haven’t seen for some time. But as people come into close contact with one another, germs, viruses and bacteria spread even more rampantly.
Although we’re now in the post-Covid era, it still pays to take precautions and maintain health and hygiene during gatherings. Not only will you prevent the spread of illnesses, but you will also save some unnecessary medical bills. Before you embark on all the house visits, keep these guidelines in mind to ensure a healthy and hygienic environment during gatherings. Don’t forget to send this article to your friends and family so that they can follow suit!
1. Hand hygiene
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom, before eating, and after coughing or sneezing. You can also use hand sanitisers with at least 60 per cent alcohol if soap and water are not readily available.
Kirei Kirei Anti Bacterial Foaming Hand Soap Refill Green Tea 200ml
Bath & Body Works Hand Sanitiser Scented Gel
Any soap will do the trick but you can make hand-washing more enjoyable, especially for the kids, by using foam or soothing aromas. Hand sanitisers are also incredibly useful and portable to keep your hands clean when you’re out and about.
2. Respiratory etiquette
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow (the part of your arm that is least in contact with anything else) when coughing or sneezing. If possible, use no-touch trash cans to minimise contact for easy disposal of used tissues.
simplehuman 45 Litre / 12 Gallon Stainless Steel Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can with Liner Pocket, Brushed Stainless Steel
Glad Stainless Steel Trash Can with Clorox Odour Protection | Touch-less Metal Kitchen Garbage Bin with Soft Close Lid and Waste Bag Roll Holder, 13 Gallon, Motion Sensor
No-touch trash cans may come in the form of a manual step bin or a “smarter” bin with a built-in sensor. Whichever you choose depends on your budget or liking, but both work just as well to minimise contact.
3. Social distancing
What was enforced during COVID-19 was not without reason. Although we don’t have to follow strict social distancing now, it’s still best if you consciously try to maintain a distance of arm’s length from another person. You can also consider limiting the number of guests or the number of people you’re meeting in a group.
4. Clean and sanitise surfaces
Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, tables, and countertops. Just like how you’ll protect an infant from all possible sources of germs, use disinfectant wipes or sprays on shared items and surfaces before and after use.
Dettol 4-in-1 Disinfectant Multi-Surface Cleaner 2.5L (Citrus / Lavender / Green Apple / Jasmine)
Walch® Disinfectant Spray 450ml x 3 Bottles
You can opt for household products that are also disinfectants to keep you and your family safe every time you do your chores. Disinfectant sprays are also convenient to use when you want to cover a large area.
5. Food safety
If you’re enjoying a meal together, consider pre-packaged individual portions to minimise contact. If food is shared, use serving utensils or provide disposable utensils to avoid cross-contamination. As it is a common practice to have leftover food from a reunion dinner—to signify that you have enough to eat for the rest of the year—ensure the perishable foods are properly handled and stored to prevent food-borne illnesses.
Multipurpose Food Container / Refrigerator Organiser
Sweejar 304 Stainless Steel Food Storage Container with Sealed Lid
Storing leftover food in airtight, food-grade containers can ensure they remain safe for consumption. It is also ideal to refrigerate or freeze leftovers within two hours of cooking. Refrigerated leftovers should be consumed within three to four days, while frozen leftovers can be consumed within two to three months. Make sure to reheat your leftovers thoroughly to kill any potential bacteria and discard them when in doubt.
6. Mask usage
Especially when you’re in an indoor setting or in crowded spaces, wear a mask to minimise exposure to germs. People may question your decision and look at you funny. But it doesn’t hurt to take better care of your health, or the health of the elderly and young in your family.
Trio 3 Ply Adult Medical Mask 50pcs/Box
[100 Pcs] 3 Ply Premium Surgical Face Masks (Lily White) BFE 99.9% UV Sterilised
A three-ply surgical mask is more than enough to keep you and your family safe.
7. Self-isolation
If you’re feeling unwell, have symptoms of illness, or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for an infectious disease, stay home to minimise the spread of the illness. You may feel okay even though you tested positive for an infection. But this is not your free pass to roam around—the disease may still infect others.
8. Ventilation
If you’re hosting your friends or family, ensure there is good ventilation by opening windows and doors or using air purifiers. Air circulation will ensure that viruses and bacteria don’t remain in an enclosed space, worsening the spread of disease.
Sterra Moon ™ True HEPA-13 Air Purifier
Levoit Core Mini Air Purifier Portable Desktop Low Noise H13 True HEPA Carbon Filter Aromatherapy Diffuser
Air purifiers with HEPA filters are highly efficient in removing at least 99.97 per cent of airborne particles of a 0.3-micron diameter, capturing most common airborne allergens.
