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Texas is Re-Opening after COVID-19 – Are You Ready? by Lisa Parelli-Monaghan
T
he re-opening of Texas, after been locked down since March 16th, comes with many mixed feelings. We are all trying to decide if we dare venture into the gym, restaurants, churches, or retail stores? Should we allow people into our home that are not members of our family? It seems everyone is at a different level of confidence as related to the virus. When the stay at home orders first appeared, many essential businesses put procedures into place making home visits as safe as possible. And, it seems many are keeping those procedures in place until the confidence level amongst homeowners has become widespread. Most service companies such as plumbing, HVAC, etc feel the safety of their clients and own team is a top priority. They have adjusted their business and construction practices to safely continue working in their clients’ homes and are all likely following the practices and processes as defined by the CDC guidelines. Here are some suggested ways to consider your re-entry amongst civilization (sounds 6
like a sci-fi movie we have all watched on TV): Meetings: If you have a project that you are considering, such as a bathroom remodel, home office build, you can actually suggest a virtual meeting with the contractor. We have all learned about Zoom or similar meeting platforms throughout the pandemic. Virtual meetings can be a great way to ask questions or talk to your contractor about your project. It’s a great starting point and may prove useful throughout a project. Social Distancing and Protection: If you have to meet someone face to face, most companies require their staff to wear a mask if it requires two people to be within 6 feet of each other and recommended any time that more than one person is onsite. In some cases, gloves are recommended when on-site. Eye protection is also recommended when on-site by contractors. Cleaning & Sanitization: If anything has been drilled into us through this pandemic is hand washing. We should all be in the habit of washing our hands before and after we touch anything. And, it is a habit we should always www.CanyonCreekLifeMedia.com
keep in place. Remember 20 seconds soap and water! If someone has worked in a space, you may want to wipe down an area after they depart. Don’t forget the doorknobs and light switches! You should already be cleaning and sanitizing all touchpoints in your home. If you have a big project such as a remodel, most contractors have a designated hand cleaning area for everyone working on site. This is typically outside your home. This will include hand sanitizer, an operable sink with soap, and other sanitation and cleanliness options. Hand washing is required after eating, smoking, drinking, blowing the nose, coughing, sneezing, and in general often and thoroughly. The Lead Carpenter on each job site will disinfect commonly touched surfaces upon arrival and immediately before departure each day. Lead carpenters will also disinfect work areas throughout the day. Most companies will continue to check their staff daily for symptoms and check temperatures before they leave the office for their work day. It never hurts to ask, “what safety procedures are your company following?"
