by Clem Boyd, Communication Content Manager
How long does the coronavirus stay on surfaces? How is the virus spread? What’s going to happen with hospitals if there’s a surge in really sick patients?
These and other questions were answered by Cedarville University infectious disease experts Dr. David Peters, assistant professor of pharmacy practice, and Dr. Zach Jenkins, associate professor of pharmacy practice, during an online town hall held Wednesday.
Cedarville’s town hall series can be found on the university’s Facebook page and on the COVID-19 Updates Blog.
During Wednesday’s town hall, Peterson and Jenkins offered five practical tips for navigating the pandemic:
- Use Clorox wipes or hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol content when cleaning hands, counters, door knobs, and phones. The coronavirus can remain on plastics up to three days, on stainless steel for two days, and on cardboard for 24 hours.
- Practice social distancing and good hygiene by staying home when able, staying up to 6 feet away from other people, and coughing or sneezing into your elbow and when necessary. COVID-19 is transmitted through person-to-person droplets that typically come out when a person coughs or sneezes.
- Seek medical attention when your condition matches what the Centers for Disease Control has listed as typical symptoms. Be wary of internet-based cures, even if they seem to come from reliable sources.
- Wear a mask if you are sick and may infect other people. Masks have less benefit for those not directly interacting with COVID-19 patients on a frequent basis.
- Consider donating any N95 masks you may own to an area hospital or medical center. Making masks is thoughtful, but may not be beneficial when not properly done — except as a last resort. Contact your local healthcare system for information about what they are currently accepting as donations.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,380 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including its Doctor of Pharmacy program, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.