The CDC and State have given out all the guidelines and precautions when it comes to the prevention of COVID-19 for households. Yet, those that live in apartment complexes have the unique experience of having closer than normal neighbors, shared living spaces, and communal spaces like hallways, elevators, staircases, laundry rooms, mail stations, etc.
We want to make sure that everyone is doing their part in helping slow and stop the spread of COVID-19 while also being courteous to their neighbors. That’s why we found an article that will help cover all your bases on staying safe in your apartment and within your apartment complex. It goes over everything from the prevention of COVID-19 in your apartment, to protection within your complex, to what to do if you’re sick or feel sick.
Coronavirus in Your Apartment Community: How To Stay Safe
Written by: Michael Hochman
Posted by: ApartmentGuide.com
Preventing coronavirus in your apartment
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has offered a number of reference articles and official statements on how to best protect yourself and your family.
But for apartment dwellers, those with common spaces, mailbox clusters, lobbies, trash chutes and a plethora of door handles, keeping safe and practicing prevention habits is a bit more difficult. From your own personal hygiene to how to manage your apartment to what to expect from your landlord, here are all the tips, suggestions and instructions straight from the CDC just for renters and apartment tenants.
[Click to read their 7 ways to help prevent coronavirus]
Coronavirus protection in your apartment building or community
When you live in a public space like an apartment building or complex, protections from coronavirus become more communal. Precautions are no different than the CDC encourages you to take in your own home, but the difference is you don't have control of everything that happens.
If you're concerned about your management's preparation for coronavirus prevention, sit down with your landlord or property manager and find out if they're following CDC guidelines. Here are some suggestions for protections they can take based on CDC recommendations.
[Click to read how you help protect your apartment complex from coronavirus]
If you're sick or feel like you're getting sick
Even with all of the precautions, there is still a chance you'll contract the disease. Follow these steps the moment you begin to feel sick, even if it just feels like a cold.
1. Stay home
Unless it's to see your doctor or go to the hospital, stay in your apartment and don't go out. Don't go to work, school or to public areas. Try to avoid public transportation, taxicabs or rideshares. Not only will you not infect others, the more you stay at home and rest, the faster you'll recover. Utilize food and personal item delivery if necessary.
2. Separate yourself from others at home
As best you can, stay in a designated sick room and keep away from other people. Eat separately from others. If your apartment has more than one, designate a bathroom just for you. Avoid touching pets, as well. If you must feed or clean up after a pet, wash your hands before and after as detailed above.
[Click here to read the 7 things you should do if you feel sick]
Myths About COVID In Apartments
Along with helping you and your neighbors stay healthy and safe, we also want to make sure you aren’t worrying over something that can’t happen. One of the most asked questions surround apartments and COVID-19 is whether or not the virus can travel through your air vents. The short answer is no.
The longer answer comes from a Dr. Alan Taege who is an infectious diseases specialist at Cleveland Clinic;
“[It] is highly unlikely. He explains that if your neighbor in the apartment next door has contracted COVID-19, it won’t pass into your apartment. “Your air is coming through a different pipeline than his. What blows into his room is not coming to you,” he says. Per Taege, “the only thing that could come out of his room is the intake vent back to whatever the heating or cooling system is and it goes through whatever filter is there.” Thus, it’s not likely to circulate back to you. So if somebody in another apartment has it, you don’t need to worry about your air system. What you need to worry more about is washing your hands frequently just in case that person has touched hallway walls, doorknobs or other things that you’re coming in contact with.”
For more Coronavirus Myths and the real answer behind the questions, click here.
Have you or someone in your apartment had COVID-19? Here’s how you should clean and disinfect your entire apartment to get rid of the virus. Remember that the more you adhere to the guidelines of the CDC and stay home, unless for essential reasons, you're continuing to help slow and stop the spread of COVID-19. For that we thank you!
