How can we talk about cleaning, sanitizing, preventive actions, personal safety, improvements, and any other anti-COVID-19 measures impacting the safety of equipment and people – and not mention maintenance? It’s like playing a card game without any aces. It’s possible, but it’s just not the same.
After all, what do we really know about COVID-19, coronavirus or SARS? The coronavirus, or rather SARS-CoV-2, is the disease better known now as COVID-19. It was first discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, China.
My recommendation, as a maintenance consultant, has always been to invest in preventative measures, based on indications shown by manufacturers, suppliers and others, alongside my own experience. There is an old Portuguese saying that is still relevant today:
- Wash your hands frequently (with soap and water, or with an anti-bacterial solution with 70% alcohol), especially when you blow your nose, sneeze or cough, or if you have been in direct contact with an sick person;
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your forearm when you sneeze or cough, and throw the tissue in the trash;
- Avoid touching your face (especially the eyes, mouth and nose) with your hands;
- Maintain a social distance of at least 2 metres when indoors;
- Avoid sharing personal items or food;
- Any clothing or uniforms should be washed at temperatures exceeding 60ºC if that individual has shown symptoms of COVID-19 i.e. they are a confirmed case. Alternatively, you can disinfect the laundry using the appropriate substances depending on the type of fabric/material to be washed;
- Maintain an air flow in spaces that are usually closed off. Open windows or doors that allow the circulation of fresh air into indoor spaces;
- Widespread use of face masks and/or visors, or goggles;
- Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly, 2 to 3 times a day:
- Cleaning: removes remaining matter on the surface that improves conditions for microorganisms;
- Disinfection: kills microorganisms