{"id":8761,"date":"2021-03-21T13:06:56","date_gmt":"2021-03-21T05:06:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newmalaysiatimes.com\/?p=8761"},"modified":"2021-03-21T13:06:56","modified_gmt":"2021-03-21T05:06:56","slug":"does-house-sanitation-prevent-covid-19-infection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newmalaysiatimes.com\/?p=8761","title":{"rendered":"Does house sanitation prevent COVID-19 infection?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 –The outbreak of COVID-19, with the first case detected in the country early last year, has changed the people\u2019s lifestyle, economically, socially, as well as in terms of healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not just having to adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs), such as wearing the face mask, exercising physical distancing and washing the hands often, the people are also seen taking on a proactive approach on matters concerning health care to protect themselves and their families from the deadly virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who can afford, they buy\u00a0air filters or purifiers for their homes, while they are also those who engage disinfection companies to sanitize to do so to ensure the deadly virus does not thrive\u00a0in their abode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what about\u00a0the people who cannot afford them, especially for those who have been in self-quarantine at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"house\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For a virologist from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Associate Professor  Dr Yahya Mat Arip, the disinfection or sanitisation process is not difficult and the public can do it by mixing a certain amount of bleach with water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The hypochlorite chemical in the bleach is enough to disinfect the areas that are frequently touched by wiping them, such as door knobs and handles, light switches, and toilets,” he told Bernama recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, he said, if the house had been used by COVID-19 patients, then more focus should be given to the area or room occupied by the patients and their clothing to be washed separately from those of other family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another virologist,\u00a0Prof Dr Sazaly Abu Bakar, from Universiti\u00a0Malaya (UM), emphasized the importance of having good air circulation in the house because it can reduce infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf there is good air circulation, the virus will come out and dissolve with the air outside. The air will rotate and clean the area inside the house to replace the unhealthy air that is trapped,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from bleach, he said, disinfection can be done just by using soap and water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Syanty Octavia Amry, 37, who works with a publication company, admitted to being a bit paranoid about healthcare since the outbreak of COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said what made her more so was because her office is located near a construction company, making her more vulnerable to the virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy career as a journalist also requires me to meet various individuals and we do not know their situation. So, every time I go home, I have the risk of bringing the virus home with me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was among those who opted to sanitise her home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe reason being that my family members are among the high -risk group, as well as having diabetes,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For housewife Nor Haniza Ahmad, 31, who hired a disinfection company to sanitise her home, said she felt it necessary as the house had been a quarantine centre for five members of her family who were down with COVID-19 last February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I don’t mind spending a little more to protect my family\u2019s health,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— BERNAMA<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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