If possible, the infected person should do their own laundry. Some experts recommend using hot water.

Laundry exposed to monkeypox should not be mixed with other washing, according to the CDC, which offers cleaning and disinfecting guidelines here.

“In the washing machine, regular soap is enough to get rid of the virus from those sheets,” Heldt said.

Mask mandates? Nope.

While it’s unclear the extent to which monkeypox can be inhaled, the virus is “not known to linger in the air and is not transmitted during short periods of shared airspace,” according to the CDC.

In “instances where people who have monkeypox have traveled on airplanes, no known cases of monkeypox occurred in people seated around them, even on long international flights,” the CDC said.

What are universities doing to prepare? 

Public universities are already informing students and staff about the virus and coordinating with local health departments.

Among them are Eastern Michigan University, which has a website where people can learn more about monkeypox, Michigan State University, which told students and parents in an email it’s “closely monitoring the virus,” and the University of Michigan, which has has published a question-and-answer with two public health experts to help the campus community better understand the virus. 

Central Michigan University sent an email to students, staff and faculty Thursday outlining how monkeypox spreads, information about the vaccine and resources for people who may have symptoms or may be stressed about the possibility of another illness.

“There are plans for isolation spaces for students living on campus who contract monkeypox and need to self-isolate until the infectious period has passed,” said George E. Kikano, CMU’s vice president for health affairs and dean of the College of Medicine. 

Wayne State University will provide areas to isolate and deliver meals to students on campus who get infected, said registered nurse Laurie Lauzon Clabo, the school’s chief health and wellness officer.

Clabo, who is also the dean of Wayne’s nursing school, said the university will soon distribute education materials online and in print about the virus to students about what the virus is, how it spreads and what to do if someone gets monkeypox.

That includes an acknowledgment that while the vast majority of patients have been men who’ve had sex or intimate close contact with other men, the disease can spread to anyone.  

“It’s really, really important that people understand this is not a gay disease. This is not a traditionally sexually transmitted illness,” she said. “This is transmitted by prolonged close physical contact. And I think that this sort of myth about this being a gay disease is dangerous to our society. It helps us not recognize how easily this could be transmitted.”

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Covid pandemic has had a profound impact on the world of work. For many people, the past year has been a time of great uncertainty, with jobs lost and businesses forced to close their doors. However, there are signs that the situation is slowly beginning to improve.

In recent months, more and more people have been returning to their offices as restrictions have begun to ease. This is a welcome development for both employees and employers alike. For workers, it provides a sense of stability and routine after months of upheaval. And for businesses, it helps to promote creativity and collaboration.

As the world starts to emerge from the pandemic, the office is once again becoming a hub of activity.

As offices begin to reopen after months of lockdown due to Covid-19, it is important to take steps to ensure the safety of employees with steps including:

Organize Commercial Waste Management

As businesses begin to return to the office after Covid, it’s important to make sure that commercial waste management is a priority. Proper waste management helps to create a clean and safe environment for employees, customers, and the community. It also helps to reduce the spread of disease and prevent environmental contamination.

When it comes to commercial waste removal, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, make sure that all waste is properly disposed of in designated receptacles. Second, ensure that all recyclable materials are properly sorted and placed in the appropriate bins. 

Third, make sure to regularly clean and disinfect all areas where waste is collected and stored. By following these simple tips, businesses can help create a safe and healthy workplace for everyone involved.

Take Some Time to Clean and Disinfect Your Workspace

When returning to the office after an extended absence, it’s important to take some time to clean and disinfect your workspace. While you may have been diligent about cleaning your home during the pandemic, your office probably hasn’t seen a thorough cleaning in months.

Dust, dirt, and other debris can accumulate quickly, and if left unchecked, these can lead to a buildup of harmful bacteria and viruses. Taking a few minutes to wipe down your desk, keyboard, and mouse will help to ensure that your workspace is clean and safe.

In addition, be sure to disinfect any shared surfaces, such as door handles and printers. By taking these simple steps, you can help to prevent the spread of illness in the workplace.

Think About Changes You Can Make to Promote Social Distancing

There are a number of changes that you can make to promote social distancing when returning to the office after Covid. One change is to stagger start times so that not everyone is coming in at the same time. This will help to reduce congestion in hallways and common areas. Another change is to create more dedicated workspace for each employee.

This could involve setting up additional workstations or installing partitions between desks. Finally, you should encourage employees to take advantage of flexible work options such as working from home or coming in at different times.

By making these changes, you can help ensure that your employees can maintain a safe distance from one another and minimize the risk of transmission.

Stock Up on Supplies Like Hand Sanitizer and Face Masks

When returning to the office after an extended period away, it’s important to stock up on essential supplies. Hand sanitizer and face masks are two essential items that will help keep you safe from germs and bacteria. Here are some tips for stocking up on these items:

• Look for hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol. This will ensure that your hands are effectively sanitized.
• Make sure to get a face mask that fits snugly over your nose and mouth. This will help to prevent the spread of germs.
• Invest in a good quality hand soap. This will help remove any dirt and bacteria from your hands before sanitizing them.

Following these tips ensures you have the supplies you need to stay safe when returning to the office after Covid.

Have a Plan in Place in Case Someone in the Office Tests Positive for Covid

No one wants to think about the possibility of someone in their office testing positive for Covid, but it’s important to be prepared. The first step is to create a plan that outlines what should be done if someone does test positive.

The plan should include how to contact other employees who may have been exposed, how to deep clean the affected area, and how to communicate with the rest of the staff.

It’s also important to make sure that everyone in the office knows the plan and understands their role in case of an emergency. 

So there you have it – a few simple steps you can take to help create a safe and healthy environment for your employees as they return to work.

 

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

The School District of Philadelphia in partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) announced updated COVID-19 health and safety protocols for the 2022-23 school year on Friday.

The School District and PDPH have been working closely throughout the summer, monitoring local COVID-19 conditions, and following federal and local public health guidance to determine the best health and safety measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 as students return to school.

For the first 10 days of the new school year — from Aug. 29 through Sept. 9 — all students and staff will be required to wear masks while in school, regardless of the COVID-19 Community Level. This is an extra precaution for everyone’s health and well-being since increased end-of-summer social gatherings may heighten the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Beyond the first 10 days of the new school year, masking is optional but encouraged for students and staff except under certain circumstances:

• When the COVID-19 Community Level is high according to the CDC COVID-19 Community Level Indicators. In this instance, the District will notify families and staff that indoor universal masking will be required in schools, school buses and offices until the Community Level returns to medium. At a Community Level of medium, masking is strongly recommended; and,

• In specific instances where universal masking may be required, regardless of the COVID-19 Community Level, including:

• Classroom- or school-wide outbreak,

• Or upon return from extended breaks and holidays when increased social gatherings may heighten the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Students and staff at PreK Head Start programs are still required to wear masks at all times.

In addition, the District will implement a mask-to-stay policy following an exposure to COVID-19. Students who are close contacts will be notified by the District’s COVID Response Team. Students and staff who have been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, are no longer required to quarantine at home unless COVID-like symptoms are present. Instead, they may return to school but are required to wear a mask for 10 days.

Students who test positive for COVID-19 are required to isolate at home for at least five calendar days and participate in virtual learning. Parents or guardians must also notify their school nurse or call the COVID Response Team at 215-400-5454. If symptom-free after five days of isolation, students may return to school but must wear a high-quality (N95 or KN95) mask for an additional five days and must eat in a designated area.

Students who present COVID-19 symptoms during school will either be tested if a signed parental consent form is on file with the school or provided with over the counter test kits for in-home administration.

“When students return to schools and classrooms on Monday, Aug. 29, our families, staff and students can be confident that we are taking the necessary steps to prioritize their health and well-being through our multi-layered safety approach,” said Superintendent Tony B. Watlington. “We will continue to work with our partners and remain flexible to support the healthy, in-person learning environments that our students need.”

In addition to these protocols, the District will continue utilizing additional health and safety layers from the previous year, including: air and surface purifiers in all instructional spaces; hand sanitizing stations and touchless hydration stations throughout schools; and enhanced daily cleaning and disinfecting of school buildings. The District will continue its partnership with DOCS Health and the Philadelphia Department of Health to make free COVD-19 testing available for students at five school-based testing locations.

“Keeping students safely in school is a shared responsibility, and we will continue to look at the data, issue guidance, and offer mitigation strategies that support healthy school environments for students,” said Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, Health Commissioner, Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

As PDPH monitors the monkeypox situation locally, the District will actively seek guidance from PDPH and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to determine any additional safety measures that are needed for schools. Families will be updated as more information is available.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here