It may be easier said than done, but how can schools combat the spread of coronavirus?
Spring Break Came Early
Following the directive of the Ministry of Education (MOE), schools in the UAE will be shut down for four (4) weeks starting March 8th to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). This move followed similar closure of nurseries and day-care facilities, as well as cancellation of school events and gatherings, including major Dubai festivities.
According to the MOE: “The Ministry of Education announces early start of spring break for schools and adoption of distance learning. Students of public & private schools & higher education institutions to start break as of next Sunday for 4 weeks & sterilization program to start for education facilities.
Spring vacation was initially poised to begin on March 29th until April 12th, but will immediately take effect next Sunday to observe preventive and precautionary measures against the virus, and ultimately prioritize the safety of students.
Cleanups in Full Swing
Furthermore, MOE will conduct massive operations to sterilize school and university facilities including classrooms, gyms, libraries, playgrounds, and buses, aligned with the international standards for health, safety and hygiene.
In Abu Dhabi, schools have been directed to “ensure disinfection and sanitizing procedures cover all areas of the school. These areas are disinfected four times per day using an approved disinfectant, ” said Marthinus Neethling, Head of Operations at Raha International School, in an interview with Gulf News. “We have also been directed to clean all surfaces, frequently touched surfaces, and floors with a bleach solution,” Neethling added.
The UAE isn’t the only country to take action by shutting down its schools. China and Japan have also shut down schools in response to this health emergency. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) states that to date, COVID-19 has infected around 95,000 people globally, 27 of which from the UAE.
How are school facilities disinfected?
In order to learn how to stop its spread, it’s important to know first how the virus is contracted. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coronaviruses can be spread from person-to-person. These transmissions take place when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. Another way the virus may spread is through touching or shaking hands. For instance, if a person touches a surface with the virus on it, then touches their face (mouth, nose, eyes) before washing their hands.
To stop the transmission from contact surfaces among schools, a bleaching solution is used to wipe down all contact surfaces, as per regulatory authorities guidelines in the UAE. Deep cleaning is done after school hours to avoid risk of contact during the cleaning process, which uses ammonium-based products.
Common School Areas that need Surface Disinfection
In times of health crisis, strict disinfection and deep cleaning is a must. While your surfaces may look clean, it can still be full of bacteria and viruses. Did you know that bacterias such as Norovirus, Influenza, Rhinovirus, Salmonella, E. Coli, can live on a surface for as long as 72 hours? This is actually not an exaggeration as schools can be a hotbed of bacteria and viruses such as Staphylococcus to influenza.
A study by NSF Public Health and Safety organization shows the following common bacteria present among school facilities:
What is Electrostatic Surface Disinfection?
This data just proves that simple cleaning is not enough to combat viruses. Schools need a fully comprehensive, 360° solution of deep cleaning which eradicates bacteria and prevents them from coming back. This is where Electrostatic Surface Disinfection can help. Simply put, electrostatics is the process of adding an electric charge inside a liquid droplet when sprayed. This makes the droplet stronger, bonding well with the disinfectant, and instantly killing bacteria and viruses in target objects or surfaces.
The diagram below shows how this advanced technology effectively works.
However effective, electrostatics is just one part of the picture. Efficient surface management is a combination of apt situation assessment (when and where the disinfectant is best applied) and the proper method of application (how the disinfectant is best applied). Needless to say, technicians should be properly trained with the current methods and tools for disinfection.
Sani360° by Saniservice
Most cleaning and disinfecting methods are highly time-consuming and ineffective. There is another proven effective way to disinfect common areas in schools and household areas which is 100% Safe and Chemical-Free, leaving no room for viruses to survive. This takes us back to 2009 when SaniService was appointed by RTA Taxi to disinfect their fleet due to the H1N1 virus using the Sani360 ° solution by Saniservice. This Electrostatic Spray technology can be utilized among schools’ common areas, even those which can be difficult to reach. It’s a 360-degree coverage which covers all surfaces regardless of their shape or form.
100% Safe & Chemical-Free Solution
Extra care and attention should be given to day-care centers and schools because young children are more active, running around, playing outdoors and constantly interacting with other kids. Moreover, toddlers display mouthing behaviours such as biting or chewing on anything they may find. This is unhygienic and a number one source of bacteria. Sani360° uses chemical-free and safe Saniswiss biosanitizer S1 as surface cleaner sanitizer. The special formula, an eco-friendly alternative to highly chemical-concentrated sanitizers in the market. It’s totally safe for kids and even adults, they can immediately use the area after treatment.
Prevention vs. Cure
There are two ways schools can keep students and staff safe from the virus. The first is to implement frequent handwashing and sanitization among students, especially after they have come in contact with common or public surfaces. Implement a strict protocol that if fever, cough, or flu persist, it is important to get treatment and take prescribed medications. The second and the most important way is to advocate prevention rather than cure, which starts from their homes. In addition to those mentioned above, parents should also be equally aware on how to stop the growth of bacteria and eradicate them through deep cleaning and frequent disinfection of their houses. Remember, safety starts from home.
Talk to a Saniservice representative today 800-7264(SANI) and let us help you deep clean and disinfect your home this spring season.
References:
//www.moe.gov.ae/
//www.moe.gov.ae/En/MediaCenter/News/Pages/SpringVacation.aspx
//www.cnbc.com/2020/03/04/coronavirus-uae-cancels-events-announces-school-closures.html
//gulfnews.com/uae/health/uae-coronavirus-abu-dhabi-schools-told-to-deep-clean-1.70096275
//www.nsf.org/consumer-resources/studies-surveys-infographics/germ-studies/germiestplaces-schools