As first responders, our siblings in labor at the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council are on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19. They shared some tips for how education employees can protect themselves during this pandemic.

What are the best safety tips for operating in small spaces or close proximity, such as school kitchens or child care rooms, without personal protective equipment (PPE)?

The six-foot rule (maintaining a six-foot space between individuals) is a good one, but not practical in these settings. The circulation of air in a room is important. If the AC is set to cycle six times an hour, it should be changed to 12 times an hour. Check when the AC was last serviced and change the filters if needed. Frequent handwashing is important, for at least 20 seconds with aggressive scrubbing. Everyone, including kids, should wash their hands at least once an hour. (Handwashing is more effective that using hand sanitizer.) Kitchen workers should wear gloves and get new gloves every time they change locations or tasks. Pay attention to what food is served to the kids; avoid finger foods if possible, as well as candy jars.

What symptoms do I really need to watch out for, in myself and those I’m responsible for?

A cough is the main symptom, as this is a respiratory virus. But since it is also cold and allergy season, a cough could mean many things. Some COVID-19 patients also have fever and body aches. You may present with all of these symptoms, or none. Symptoms can appear up to five days after high risk exposure. For more information, visit the Center for Disease Control’s website.

If we don’t have N95 masks, should we wear regular painting, surgical or homemade masks? Does it make a difference to wear full-length sleeves and clothing that covers more skin, so less will be exposed to the virus?

As firefighters and paramedics, we follow protocols to put a surgical mask (not N95) on everyone who calls 911. Droplets are the main transmission and coughing propels these droplets into mouths and onto surfaces. So a surgical mask can keep droplet transmission down. Wipe down surfaces with a five percent bleach solution or often. Avoid touching your face and mouth. A long sleeve shirt gives you an extra layer of protection. Most important is frequent handwashing, after every cough, sneeze or even touching your face. Masks for the non-symptomatic are not recommended in our guidance. But once a cough develops, on goes the surgical mask. No one with a fever should be at work. One thing some fire departments has implemented is a temperature check at the beginning and end of a shift.

Common coronavirus terms and definitions

• Active Monitoring – When a state or local public health authority establishes regular communication with potentially exposed people to assess for the presence of fever or respiratory symptoms.
• Close Contact – When a healthcare worker is within a specific proximate distance to a person who is infected with a pathogen for a prolonged period of time; or having unprotected direct contact with infectious secretions or excretions of the patient.
• Epidemic – A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.
• Exposure – Unprotected contact with pathogens or confirmed carriers.
• Healthcare Personnel (HCP as referenced in CDC Guidelines) – All paid and unpaid persons serving to provide medical care who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials.
• Isolation – The separation of persons who are showing signs and experiencing symptoms of a communicable disease from those that are healthy.
• Pandemic – A disease prevalent over a whole country or the world.
• Quarantine – The physical separation and confinement of a person or group of persons who have been or may have been exposed to a communicable disease and who do not show signs or symptoms of a communicable disease, from persons who have not been exposed to a communicable disease to prevent or limit the transmission of the identification of Risk Categories provides agency leadership with a frame of reference for the level of exposure. These levels of risk vary by pathogen.
• Self-Monitoring with Delegated Supervision – The healthcare provider provides self-monitoring with oversight by the healthcare facility’s occupational health or infection control program.