As social distancing measures ease up, students return to classroom settings, masks, and backpacks in tow. Unfortunately, face shields, masks, and even gloves aren’t enough to protect against touchpoints in crowded cafeterias and muddy gyms.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular colds alone are responsible for the 22 million school days that thousands of students lose each year. If your educational institution is re-commencing after the holidays, protect against these germ-filled settings.
- The Gym
Bacteria love warm, moist conditions—a.k.a. gym showers. Plus, if kids run laps barefoot, sweat is the first place bacteria will cling to. Other potentially affected surfaces include mats and athletic equipment that go through several dozen hands a day.
Children interacting with contaminated tools and unclean floors are likely to develop Athlete’s Foot, a prevalent and painful fungal infection. Though rarer, onychomycosis can also occur via the human papillomavirus, causing brittle, yellowed toenails.
- The Pool
Neighboring the gym is the pool, where swimmers sweat off bacteria and fungi. If you notice a pool with discolored water, chances are it isn’t safe to swim in.
Though chlorine and bromine are excellent protection against microbes, it might make for a better practice to limit pool time.
- The Computer Lab
Contrary to popular belief, children are more likely to encounter germs on a computer keyboard than they would on a toilet seat. But why? Computer keyboards are more frequently touched and can contain over 200 times the amount of bacteria.
Always remind students to respect no-food, no-beverage protocols in their best interest. Remember, roughly 80 million Americans will contract food poisoning every year—don’t allow your students to become part of this statistic.
- The Cafeteria
Nowadays, educational institutions are prioritizing healthier, more balanced meals in cafeterias. However, wholesome dishes are likely providing nutrition for more than just your students.
Through touching, sneezing, and coughing, food becomes contaminated. Not to mention, communal silverware dispensers without a disinfecting mechanism will breed a plethora of germs.
Instead, encourage your students to come in with packed lunch and separate utensils. Provide free packs of tissues and equip every corner with hand sanitizer dispensers.
- Homeroom
Did you know that the average desk surface will harbor over 400 times more than—you guessed it—a toilet seat? Many will assume toilets are bacteria’s favorite resting place. Yet, because they get the most janitorial attention, they are often cleaner than other surfaces that are typically overlooked.
Other homeroom high-microbe sites include pencil sharpeners, whiteboard markers, seats, and other shared materials.
Conclusion
Many believe that the re-commencement of classes during the COVID-19 pandemic is premature—and for a good reason. As a rule of thumb, always ensure that your students are attending classes well-protected. Encourage that they pack an additional mask and filter, hand sanitizer with at least a 60% alcohol concentration, and tissues.
In your educational institution, ensure that you’re passing on knowledge—not illnesses. Enlist thorough commercial cleaning services from AK Building Services, Florida’s most dependable provider. Experienced and trusted, we are well-equipped to clean any type of property—including your beloved school.
