Many schools have begun to reinstate face-to-face classes again and more are likely going to follow suit. As a way to protect everyone involved, school disinfection should become a top priority.
How School Disinfection Became the Norm
As COVID-19 rapidly spread across the globe in 2020, schools everywhere stopped holding in-person classes. This temporary physical shutdown led students and teachers to shift their classes to an online medium. And, for a long time, it stayed that way.
Now, as vaccines continue to roll out and health protocols remain in play, many schools have started to reopen. Face-to-face classes are once again being held in schools across several states. But, does this really mean it is safe to go back? Are we truly over the hump?
Some parents and faculty members have voiced their concerns over the resumption of physical classes. Not everyone has been (or wants to be) vaccinated. Moreover, there are presently no vaccines approved for children below the age of 12, though this is expected to change soon. Students and teachers alike can still be at risk of contracting the virus or passing it on to unvaccinated people.
At the height of the pandemic, disinfection services shot to popularity. Word spread that people could contract the virus by coming into contact with infected surfaces. Frequent disinfection not only became somewhat of a necessity but also ushered peace of mind.
Reasons Why Professional School Disinfection Is a Must
Many doubt the need for disinfection amid the deployment of vaccines in the United States. Vaccines do protect people from COVID-19, but school disinfection remains necessary to protect unvaccinated people. Frankly speaking, it helps mitigate the spread of the virus.
Obviously, school and classroom disinfection serves to keep students and faculty members safe and healthy. But, are there any other reasons to professionally disinfect schools?
1. Reduce the Risk of Infection Through High-Touch Points
Face masks and social distancing certainly decrease the risk of contracting COVID-19. But, students and teachers come into contact with various surfaces and objects every day. They then proceed to touch their face, unconsciously or otherwise, thereby infecting themselves.
Given how the virus can survive on surfaces for up to weeks, it is imperative to eliminate them immediately to reduce the chances of infection. High-touch points, in particular, should receive more attention. These include doorknobs and handles, stair rails, desks, drinking fountains, and sink handles. Any shared objects such as pens and pencils, books, art supplies, electronic devices, and lab equipment are equally of concern.
Disinfection is an efficient way of eliminating the viruses, germs, bacteria, and pathogens that settle on these surfaces and objects. It is also very effective.
2. An Efficient Way of Disinfecting a Large Area
Schools already run on a tight budget, so it may not make financial sense to hire additional employees and buy plenty of disinfectants to cover the entire campus. Professionals, though, use state-of-the-art technology to disinfect large spaces within only a short amount of time. The products they use also tend to be more effective and are approved by the CDC and the EPA.
3. Minimize Disruption to Classes
When schools take an in-house approach to disinfection, it not only eats up a lot of resources but can also disrupt regular classes. But, when you hire a professional service for the job, there will be little to no interference with the school day. In fact, many services can disinfect the entire school within a single day. Professionals can work around your availability and follow a regular schedule according to your liking.
4. Beneficial Even Post-COVID
The coronavirus pandemic might have acted as the catalyst, but it is very well likely that school sanitization and disinfection will continue for years to come. COVID-19 is only one of the many viruses, bacteria, germs, and pathogens that exist in your surroundings. There are many others that can cause illness, whether they are already lurking on surfaces or are brought in on the soles of shoes.
For schools, especially ones with particularly young children, regular disinfection carried out by a professional is essential. If you want to protect your faculty members and students even after the pandemic ends, disinfection is one way to help ensure that.
Other Health Protocols to Keep in Mind
Apart from regular school disinfection, there are many other health and safety protocols that schools must exercise. As recommended by the CDC, these protocols are as follows:
- School cleaning must take place more frequently. Clean high-touch surfaces and shared objects, including transportation vehicles such as school buses, at least once a day.
- Discourage the sharing of objects among teachers and students to limit the spread of viruses.
- Use only CDC-approved and EPA-registered disinfectants. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions as they appear on the label.
- Encourage hand hygiene among students. Impose frequent hand-washing protocols for staff members, particularly ones who handle food.
- Install hand sanitizing stations throughout the campus. Hand sanitizers should contain at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Ensure proper ventilation at all times. Consider improving the ventilation system to facilitate the circulation of clean air.
- Practice social distancing.
- Use gloves when handling trash or garbage bags. Wash hands afterward.
- Follow the standard waste-handling procedures.
- When someone falls ill, clean and disinfect the school immediately.
- Always keep up-to-date on health and safety protocols as well as state executive orders.
A Safe and Healthy Learning Environment
Parents entrust their children to schools for the better part of most days. As their second home, schools should help keep students and faculty members safe and healthy. An effective and efficient way to do that is to adopt regular school disinfection.
Not all schools have the time or resources to disinfect the campus on their own. This is where MSI comes in. We provide expert disinfection services to schools, daycares, colleges, and universities. Call us today at (704) 405-6000 or contact us online to learn more about our services.
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