Lessons in Hygiene

As businesses start to re-open, there are a multitude of lessons that can be learned from the coronavirus pandemic. These lessons can be practiced by every individual, whether one is an employee, or more importantly, an employer. Business owners need to take a careful look at how their employees practice good hygiene in the workplace, and whether changes should be implemented. They can mandate that employees sanitize workspaces after use, such as desks, mouses, and keyboards, using industrial-grade products. This should especially be done after eating lunch. Other frequently touched objects should be sanitized to prevent the spread of germs.

The importance of workplace hygiene cannot be overstated. Ventilation can reduce the spread of airborne disease. Opening windows, or using dehumidifiers, air purifiers, and fans can help in doing so. Even leaving doors open to rooms used by employees can help circulate better air. Keeping refrigerators clean and mandating through company policy that workers wash their hands after using the restroom are part of a whole-of-business approach in keeping healthy workers, as well as customers/clients. Employers will be tried and tested on how they keep their workplaces clean, especially in the restaurant business. The unknowns of COVID-19, such as whether it can reemerge next year, provide all of us with an incentive to promote a bacteria-free environment so that business can keep on moving, even in uncertain times.