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Tips on keeping safe when DH is exposed to virus

34 replies

GaaaaarlicBread · 24/03/2020 19:29

Hi, both my husband and I work in healthcare , but he is front facing and currently working extremely hard under extreme circumstances like a lot of workers during this mad time. I am pregnant and have an underlying health condition so want to be extra cautious on how to try and stay safe when he’s exposed to the virus ? He’s obviously wearing PPE etc but has anyone got any tips for keeping the house a virus free zone ? Any products you advise , or a routine we can follow ? He’s currently coming through the back door, getting his clothes straight into the wash, then straight to the shower but it’ll only get worse from today he’s been warned .
Help!

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countbackfromten · 24/03/2020 19:31

I’m an anaesthetist and that is what I’m doing as soon as I get in. Everything off and in the shower straight away. It is quite a fragile virus so cleaning is the best way forward

BodiesMakeForGoodFertiliser · 24/03/2020 19:33

He shouldn't be in the house at all tbh...

Dreamersandwishers · 24/03/2020 19:34

Thank you to you both for the sacrifices you make on our behalf.

That’s a good routine. I might just add - disinfect door handles, key, phone etc as he comes in. Spray down the shower when he’s finished. Advice here in Scotland suggests sleeping apart if one is vulnerable so perhaps give that some thought. If you have 2 bathrooms, keep yourselves separate that way, and wash his towels end of each day.
Good luck 💐

GaaaaarlicBread · 24/03/2020 19:55

Thanks so much , really good advise . @countbackfromten Thank you for all your hard work especially during this heavy time.
@dreams thank you so much for recognising our hard work, that’s really appreciated 💕
Luckily we have a spare bed still as we haven’t got rid of that yet as we haven’t got the babies cot bed up as of yet either , so that’s lucky . We have two toilets but just the one shower room but I’ll make sure I clean that down too.
Good idea with the door handles , keys etc . Thank you x

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GaaaaarlicBread · 24/03/2020 19:55

@BodiesMakeForGoodFertiliser not really got another option sadly as we chose to live together 🤣 nowhere else to stay which is why I’m wanting to minimise the risks as much as possible

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Frontlineson · 24/03/2020 19:57

Watching with interest and thank you.Thanks

tilder · 24/03/2020 20:00

I hadn't thought about the virus surviving on clothing. Will have a think about how to deal with that one, thank you.
With wiping door handles etc. If hands are thoroughly washed first, is that necessary?
My fear at the moment is we both come down with it at the same time. Not sure what my kids would do if that happened. I might need to plan with my eldest. He's 13.

CheshireDing · 24/03/2020 20:00

DH is a nurse, he comes home and doesn’t go near the children and his work bag stays in the hall which isn’t ideal but it can’t stay in the car.

He goes straight up to shower and uniform in wash.

We have a plan in place for if he needs to isolate - he will get the master bedroom with en suite.

It’s certainly not an ideal and fool proof answer though.

Cyllie33 · 24/03/2020 20:02

Put coloured tape on fridge/door handles etc. Yellow around the top half, green around the bottom and you each have a colour which is the only part you touch

SukiPutTheEarlGreyOn · 24/03/2020 20:04

Also cleaning taps, tv zappers, fridge and cupboard handles, phones, ipads, bannisters, etc. Anything you both touch with any regularity. It makes me feel like Howard Hughes but like the rest of this, it soon becomes the new normal. Thinking of you and thank you both for the very valuable work you’re doing at this difficult time. Flowers

Frontlineson · 24/03/2020 20:05

@Cyllie33 that's bloody genius...... I'm doing that tomorrow. Thank you

GaaaaarlicBread · 24/03/2020 20:31

Thank you all you’re all brilliant ! 💕

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Olderthangoogle · 24/03/2020 21:00

Put coloured tape on fridge/door handles etc. Yellow around the top half, green around the bottom and you each have a colour which is the only part you touch

Clever !!

Riverhouse · 24/03/2020 21:01

It's so much new stuff to think about and new routines isn't it?
DH comes in side door to the utility room, strips and clothes go in washing machine then has a shower (walking up stairs not touching anything)while I wipe down his glasses and phone. Everything else (his bag, coat etc) stays in the utility room.

But then, can I put my washing in with his? Can I put his on a 15min wash first and then put ours in with his on a proper long wash? I don't know, I think so.

HandBellender · 24/03/2020 21:02

@BodiesMakeForGoodFertiliser Silly comment. What is he supposed to do, unless he's to sleep in a tent in the garden?

DNAwrangler · 24/03/2020 21:18

To the poster worried about DHs work bag in the hall, have you got a plastic or cardboard box you can put in the hall, for him to put his bag into? Ideally one with a lid.

DNAwrangler · 24/03/2020 21:20

Oh, and clean the steering wheel, handbrake, gear stick, car door handles as often as possible

GaaaaarlicBread · 24/03/2020 21:26

@Riverhouse isn’t it just ? It’s so new and you do things usually without thinking twice , now you have to question everything it’s a nightmare ! I hope you can wash clothes together because I did that this eve (although he wears scrubs anyway but I still washed the clothes we walked to work in as they stay in his locker etc . But I am kind of questioning it now !

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GaaaaarlicBread · 24/03/2020 21:26

I have a cough this eve but thinking it’s kind of psychological as I was worried about catching something . I am hoping it’s just a tickle or something 😖

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GaaaaarlicBread · 25/03/2020 07:53

Bump for anyone else who needs it or anyone else who has any more tips :)

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Tiredmum100 · 25/03/2020 08:15

Thanks. Nurse here, on leave this week but last week I had a bag ready by the front door to put my uniform into when I got in and straight into the shower. I will be more prepared this week and leave the shower and bathroom door open next week. Carrier bag with uniform into washing machine without touching it. I am going to try and get a hard wipe down box to use this week I think. I wiped down my shoes, keys, car steering wheel, hand break etc continually throughout the day with clini wipes (community nurse) as obviously don't want to be spreading germs to patients. I am also taking my own hand gel, hand soap and paper towels into each house.

ChestyNut · 25/03/2020 08:45

I saw this and seemed helpful.

Tips on keeping safe when DH is exposed to virus
pinksquash13 · 25/03/2020 08:46

Yes you can wash clothes together as long as it's 40 degrees or more. The temp and detergent will kill the virus.

Winterwoollies · 25/03/2020 09:04

Some good advice here.

From a hospital medic I was told:

Have a washing up bowl with a water and bleach solution by whichever door you all come through. Dip shoe soles and leave shoes outside.

Open door but try not to touch keyhole or any handles. You can always dunk your keys in the bleach solution after opening the door.

Strip off all clothing (or just outer clothing if not returning from a super high risk area) and put straight in the wash. ANY detergent or soap will break down the walls of the virus cells so multiple clothes can be washed together. But place carefully in machines and put on immediately. Doesn’t need to be a hot or particularly long cycle, the detergent is what is key.

If coming back from a high risk place, like your DH will be, Immediately shower, including hair. The virus can cling to hair. Ideally keep hair tied up when out and about.

Drink constantly throughout the day, but sip tepid or warm drinks every 15 minutes. Avoid icy cold drinks. Drink lots of lovely tea!

Obviously, wash hands repeatedly, but namely when coming in from outside.

Routinely wipe down anything with that will be touched by a third party, not from your household, such as letter boxes, milk bottles, door knocker etc.

Leave any shopping bags outside (UV will also kill off the virus) and wipe down all shopping before bringing it in.

All this sounds overwhelming but we’ve managed to make it routine and obviously, we’re not going out much anyway.

Good luck and stay safe.

IncyWincyTincy · 25/03/2020 09:49

It's so hard isn't it. DH is in the emergency services though thankfully not medical. I'm 40 weeks pregnant and have 2 kids at home. He has no where else to stay and we have no way of properly isolating him in the house. I have a huge bag for life by the door, he comes in strips off and everything goes in the bag. Then straight to shower. Kids have it drilled into them they can't touch him til after! I'm minimising as best I can but trying to come to terms with the fact I can only reduce our chance of catching it not stop it completely!