Covid Safety Precautions
May 17, 2022 1:57 PM Subscribe
We are unavoidably having contractors in our home next week for three days. I am *severely* immunocompromised and the “new normal” does not apply. So please leave aside any and all “it’ll be fine” knee jerk you have because I still need to be treating this like it will kill me. So, step inside and let me tell you our plan. Is it good enough? What haven’t we thought of?
For context: Currently 30 in 100,000 people have *reported* covid in our area and cases have risen 77% in the last week. I expect those numbers to be worse by next week, and that’s with them being undercounted.
The contractors will be in the whole house - two bedrooms, an office and the main living room.
Bedroom one: has windows on two adjoining walls, an overhead fan and an air purifier. We plan to open both windows, turn on the ceiling fan and leave the air purifier running.
Bedroom two: has a single window, a fan on a stand and an air purifier. We’ll open the window and turn on the air purifier. Where should we place the fan? Especially if putting it directly in front of the window will be in the way. Also, should it be blowing air in or out of the house?
Office: windows on two adjoining walls, air purifier. We have neither a ceiling fan nor a standing fan but I believe we may have a box fan. This room we can leave the two windows open and the air purifier going and leave the door shut for four days once the work is done. How effective is that without something to push the air around like a fan? The air purifier is appropriately sized and has a HEPA filter, is that enough?
Living room: Has three large windows, and a large air purifier. Same question as the office, except that we can’t just close the door and not go in. Will leaving the windows open and the air purifier running be enough in the absence of something else to move the air? I am particularly concerned about this room as it gets stale air pockets all the time.
The contractors have agreed to wear N95 masks while inside. I expect them to take them off to drink water, because that’s what people mean when they say they’re wearing masks. We are planning on being outside attempting to stay cool in the shade while they’re in the house. How long should we give it before we return inside? How long until we can return inside without wearing a mask?
I think it is reasonable to assume that they will use the bathroom while here. Should we ask them to use the bathroom that has a (small) window or the one with an extractor fan (of unknown strength). My inclination is to ask them to use the bathroom with the window, leave it open and use the other bathroom for the duration and a couple days following.
Major questions: if they’re done by 5pm each day, at what time can we feel reasonably confident about going to bed without a mask on? Do we need a couple more fans for air exchange (living room and office) or will opening windows with an air purifier running be ok?
The house is fairly poorly ventilated in terms of forced air or anything like that. Help me with some worst case scenario planning (as in assume someone coming has covid) and how long we need to stay out of the house, how long we should keep wearing masks inside and if there’s anything we can do to increase the likelihood that we have a good solid air turnover happening inside.
For context: Currently 30 in 100,000 people have *reported* covid in our area and cases have risen 77% in the last week. I expect those numbers to be worse by next week, and that’s with them being undercounted.
The contractors will be in the whole house - two bedrooms, an office and the main living room.
Bedroom one: has windows on two adjoining walls, an overhead fan and an air purifier. We plan to open both windows, turn on the ceiling fan and leave the air purifier running.
Bedroom two: has a single window, a fan on a stand and an air purifier. We’ll open the window and turn on the air purifier. Where should we place the fan? Especially if putting it directly in front of the window will be in the way. Also, should it be blowing air in or out of the house?
Office: windows on two adjoining walls, air purifier. We have neither a ceiling fan nor a standing fan but I believe we may have a box fan. This room we can leave the two windows open and the air purifier going and leave the door shut for four days once the work is done. How effective is that without something to push the air around like a fan? The air purifier is appropriately sized and has a HEPA filter, is that enough?
Living room: Has three large windows, and a large air purifier. Same question as the office, except that we can’t just close the door and not go in. Will leaving the windows open and the air purifier running be enough in the absence of something else to move the air? I am particularly concerned about this room as it gets stale air pockets all the time.
The contractors have agreed to wear N95 masks while inside. I expect them to take them off to drink water, because that’s what people mean when they say they’re wearing masks. We are planning on being outside attempting to stay cool in the shade while they’re in the house. How long should we give it before we return inside? How long until we can return inside without wearing a mask?
I think it is reasonable to assume that they will use the bathroom while here. Should we ask them to use the bathroom that has a (small) window or the one with an extractor fan (of unknown strength). My inclination is to ask them to use the bathroom with the window, leave it open and use the other bathroom for the duration and a couple days following.
Major questions: if they’re done by 5pm each day, at what time can we feel reasonably confident about going to bed without a mask on? Do we need a couple more fans for air exchange (living room and office) or will opening windows with an air purifier running be ok?
The house is fairly poorly ventilated in terms of forced air or anything like that. Help me with some worst case scenario planning (as in assume someone coming has covid) and how long we need to stay out of the house, how long we should keep wearing masks inside and if there’s anything we can do to increase the likelihood that we have a good solid air turnover happening inside.
Your plan sounds thorough and reasonable. Personally I’d ask them to use the bathroom with the window because an open window gives me greater peace of mind than the fan of unknown strength. However, since you didn’t mention this as something you’ve ruled out: can you get an Airbnb or something for the duration of the work? If you can afford it, I think that’s your safest option as well as the least stressful.
posted by theotherdurassister at 2:07 PM on May 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by theotherdurassister at 2:07 PM on May 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
Just a thought (and its a little different to your direct ask) - is moving to an standalone Airbnb or similar possible (maybe even paying for an extra day or two extra at the start and telling the host your situation so you can guarantee no one else has been in the property for at least 24-48 hours before you stay)? Wasn't sure if that's pragmatic given your medical situation, but something we considered for ourselves at the height of pandemic when we had contractors coming in (and in fact we did for two nights - more so because we had no heat). May be less efficient (and certainly more expensive!) - but may give you better piece of mind for the multi-day period. But again appreciate your specific situation may not make that work.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 2:09 PM on May 17, 2022
posted by inflatablekiwi at 2:09 PM on May 17, 2022
Oh my gosh, this must be a worst-case situation for you. Your planning has been very comprehensive.
Questions: Will they be there multiple days? What type of work will they be doing?
If possible, I’d see if they can start with and complete all work in bedroom one, and when done, ask them to open the windows all the way and turn on the ceiling fan and close the door. That gives the longest time for the room to cycle out the air.
If that’s possible, then you may not need to worry too much about the other rooms - they can be left vacant overnight, which should be ample time for air replacement.
Yes to giving them access to the bathroom with the window.
The original variant of covid was detectable (active) in air for up to three hours.
posted by Silvery Fish at 2:10 PM on May 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
Questions: Will they be there multiple days? What type of work will they be doing?
If possible, I’d see if they can start with and complete all work in bedroom one, and when done, ask them to open the windows all the way and turn on the ceiling fan and close the door. That gives the longest time for the room to cycle out the air.
If that’s possible, then you may not need to worry too much about the other rooms - they can be left vacant overnight, which should be ample time for air replacement.
Yes to giving them access to the bathroom with the window.
The original variant of covid was detectable (active) in air for up to three hours.
posted by Silvery Fish at 2:10 PM on May 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
I'll only address one point: my hospital's ER and the imaging rooms have used anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours 'clean and cool down' for a COVID positive room with aerosolizing procedures (longer) or just c+ patient, with mask, getting xrays (shorter). So out by 5 should leave you plenty of time to wait before entering.
posted by cobaltnine at 2:11 PM on May 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by cobaltnine at 2:11 PM on May 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Heading off the Airbnb questions: not available at any price within a reasonable distance from us, unfortunately.
posted by Bottlecap at 2:21 PM on May 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by Bottlecap at 2:21 PM on May 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
Is it worthwhile asking if the workers are vaccinated? If not, can you ask that vaccinated workers be used on the job?
You've got the right idea from what you wrote above, it's all about ventilation. One thing you could do is buy a high-powered fan that you can get at Home Depot. They have ratings on how much air volume they can move irrc.
posted by storybored at 2:28 PM on May 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
You've got the right idea from what you wrote above, it's all about ventilation. One thing you could do is buy a high-powered fan that you can get at Home Depot. They have ratings on how much air volume they can move irrc.
posted by storybored at 2:28 PM on May 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
I think you should take some comfort from the fact that Covid-19 does not seem to transmit via surfaces, though not knowing what kind of work you are having done it's hard to tell how relevant that is. If you are still concerned about this, you might spread sheets, bedspreads, or plastic shower curtains on your vulnerable surfaces.
It sounds like you are set up for pretty good air exchange - can you borrow a box fan or two and prop them facing outward in other open windows? That will increase air exchange. If you can put a box fan in the bathroom with the window and insist that the contractors use N95 masks at all times that will help. Same with rooms you feel are less well-ventilated. Box fan facing outward with cross-ventilation is an excellent way to promote air exchange.
Are the workers vaxxed and boosted? I realize that this does not prevent people becoming infected, but it does seem to reduce the risk that that they will. Are you insisting they test themselves before work EVERY day? If you provide the tests they should have no hesitation, and I would make it a hard requirement. I'd still require N95 masks because there is a chance a take-home test will not detect early infections.
Best of luck to you!
posted by citygirl at 2:28 PM on May 17, 2022 [6 favorites]
It sounds like you are set up for pretty good air exchange - can you borrow a box fan or two and prop them facing outward in other open windows? That will increase air exchange. If you can put a box fan in the bathroom with the window and insist that the contractors use N95 masks at all times that will help. Same with rooms you feel are less well-ventilated. Box fan facing outward with cross-ventilation is an excellent way to promote air exchange.
Are the workers vaxxed and boosted? I realize that this does not prevent people becoming infected, but it does seem to reduce the risk that that they will. Are you insisting they test themselves before work EVERY day? If you provide the tests they should have no hesitation, and I would make it a hard requirement. I'd still require N95 masks because there is a chance a take-home test will not detect early infections.
Best of luck to you!
posted by citygirl at 2:28 PM on May 17, 2022 [6 favorites]
Place the fan somewhere towards the centre of the room, pointing towards the window, to take advantage of the Bernoulli principle
posted by knapah at 2:41 PM on May 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by knapah at 2:41 PM on May 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
This is probably overkill - but it may be possible for you, and it may bring you peace of mind: do you have a private backyard and appropriate weather to sleep in a tent for a night or two on an inflatable mattress? Then you could have a mask on while using the kitchen or bathroom but not while sleeping. Otherwise, you could put 2 air filters in the bedroom starting an hour before bedtime, and keep them running through the night, masks off.
Another thought. You have 2 bedrooms. I'm not sure if you use them both or if one is a guest room. If one is a guest room, can the contractors avoid one bedroom each day, so you have a "clean" bedroom each night? And/or if the second bedroom is already occupied, can you use an inflatable mattress in the office as a "clean" bedroom? You can ask the contractor if they can be creative about sequencing their work to meet your needs.
posted by happy_cat at 2:43 PM on May 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
Another thought. You have 2 bedrooms. I'm not sure if you use them both or if one is a guest room. If one is a guest room, can the contractors avoid one bedroom each day, so you have a "clean" bedroom each night? And/or if the second bedroom is already occupied, can you use an inflatable mattress in the office as a "clean" bedroom? You can ask the contractor if they can be creative about sequencing their work to meet your needs.
posted by happy_cat at 2:43 PM on May 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
This is tough, but it sounds like you have a good plan. It sounds like there's more than one of you; if there's an immunocompetent partner, they could go in first after the contractors and ensure that all the windows are still open, all the air purifiers are still running. I'd leave it an hour or so. I'm immunocompromised and used an hour of open windows after we had movers in all day, for instance.
If you want further peace of mind, you could buy an air quality monitor; this is the one I own. The big display is PM2.5 particles, which are the size of smoke particles, and a reasonable proxy. The partner could burn incense or the like could produce smoke in the place, which you would see with the air quality meter; once the smoke is cleaned, the covid particles that were there before the smoke are also presumably gone.
The AQM has also shown me how fast air transfers in and out; on a wildfire-smoky day it takes a few minutes of a cracked door to see the numbers climb (but that also means that inside air is going out). A smoky cook in the kitchen is almost entirely cleaned in the next room by our air purifier in like 20-30 minutes. (There are other types of people who will find a continuously updating measure of indoor air quality anxiety inducing, rather than anxiety addressing; I assume you know which type of person you are.)
posted by Superilla at 2:47 PM on May 17, 2022 [10 favorites]
If you want further peace of mind, you could buy an air quality monitor; this is the one I own. The big display is PM2.5 particles, which are the size of smoke particles, and a reasonable proxy. The partner could burn incense or the like could produce smoke in the place, which you would see with the air quality meter; once the smoke is cleaned, the covid particles that were there before the smoke are also presumably gone.
The AQM has also shown me how fast air transfers in and out; on a wildfire-smoky day it takes a few minutes of a cracked door to see the numbers climb (but that also means that inside air is going out). A smoky cook in the kitchen is almost entirely cleaned in the next room by our air purifier in like 20-30 minutes. (There are other types of people who will find a continuously updating measure of indoor air quality anxiety inducing, rather than anxiety addressing; I assume you know which type of person you are.)
posted by Superilla at 2:47 PM on May 17, 2022 [10 favorites]
Require the contractors to be vaccinated & boosted, and show you their vax cards or other proof.
They also need to take rapid-antigen tests each morning when they arrive and have negative results before entering the house.
Don't allow them to take masks off indoors - not for water or anything. If they want a drink then they can go outside.
When we had a contractor working in our house we were comfortable with waiting for 1 hour after they left while running all the exhaust fans, windows/doors open, and air filters. Use everything you have; and get some extra box fans from Home Depot (or similar), they are cheap and move a lot of air. Put box fans in hallways, doorways, and entrances to maximize air movement.
As knapah mentioned, fans are most effective when placed a few feet (2-4) inside a window or door and blowing outward.
This is life or death for you, it's worth being that person to preserve your health in your own home.
posted by jpeacock at 3:31 PM on May 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
They also need to take rapid-antigen tests each morning when they arrive and have negative results before entering the house.
Don't allow them to take masks off indoors - not for water or anything. If they want a drink then they can go outside.
When we had a contractor working in our house we were comfortable with waiting for 1 hour after they left while running all the exhaust fans, windows/doors open, and air filters. Use everything you have; and get some extra box fans from Home Depot (or similar), they are cheap and move a lot of air. Put box fans in hallways, doorways, and entrances to maximize air movement.
As knapah mentioned, fans are most effective when placed a few feet (2-4) inside a window or door and blowing outward.
This is life or death for you, it's worth being that person to preserve your health in your own home.
posted by jpeacock at 3:31 PM on May 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
If you open every window, turn on your fans and leave the house for a couple hours after they leave, your risk will be quite low. Ventilation rates in these conditions vary from house to house, but a couple air changes per hour is typical. After 2-3 hours of ~2 air changes per hour, very little virus would be left in the air based on air changes. In 2-3 hours, there would also be very little infectious virus in the air, as most of it dries out within minutes of leaving the body (studies vary on this, some find 20 minutes reduces the amount of virus by a factor of 10). This is probably a fairly conservative estimate. If you want to be very careful, keep your mask on for an extra hour or two and maybe eat dinner outside. I would not be worried about using a mask or sleeping inside at bedtime.
If you have box fans or other fans, put them facing outwards in windows to increase the amount of airflow in and out of the house. Leave your bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans on. Air purifiers probably aren't going to make much difference, since their effect will be much less than the ventilation, but it doesn't hurt to leave them on in the areas with the least exhaust fan or window coverage. If the contractors are going to be throughout the house, I would aim for maximum ventilation and just prop all the interior doors open (exterior doors too, if that's an option).
Transmission via surfaces is theoretically possible, but highly unlikely. If you're worried, you could wipe them down.
posted by ssg at 3:48 PM on May 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
If you have box fans or other fans, put them facing outwards in windows to increase the amount of airflow in and out of the house. Leave your bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans on. Air purifiers probably aren't going to make much difference, since their effect will be much less than the ventilation, but it doesn't hurt to leave them on in the areas with the least exhaust fan or window coverage. If the contractors are going to be throughout the house, I would aim for maximum ventilation and just prop all the interior doors open (exterior doors too, if that's an option).
Transmission via surfaces is theoretically possible, but highly unlikely. If you're worried, you could wipe them down.
posted by ssg at 3:48 PM on May 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
Good resource is the Doherty Institute (Peter Doherty won a Nobel Prize for his work on immune responses
Link
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 3:55 PM on May 17, 2022
Link
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 3:55 PM on May 17, 2022
In this paper from last September, the half-life of airborne virus in the air is 1 hour. I would suggest taking "half life" at a layperson's literal and say don't go in there until the space has been unoccupied for at least 2 hours.
All the instructions about ventilation are only going to prevent the workpersons from giving COVID to each other while they are in the rooms together. That only helps you out in that you'd probably prefer the fewest number of people have COVID inside your house as feasible, and for peace of mind that you are doing the most, but it does not appear that it would matter if you left the windows closed all day and only opened them after they left or did not open any windows but waited two hours.
For an additional layer of safety, I would recommend you decide in advance to stay in a limited area of the house unmasked during the times they are not there for the duration of the work, so that you can focus on airing out the rooms you will be spending time in. Put the fan in whichever bedroom you will generally restrict yourself to, have your partner do this after the workers are gone, wait two hours. If neither of your bathrooms are ensuite, you keep the closest one to your bedroom of choice and have them use the other. This is not because of the air, it is because COVID is detectable in fecal matter and as such is an exposure you should prioritize avoiding, even though there's no data on that form of transmission.
None of the medical professionals I know and trust are worried about going into a room where someone with COVID was a little while ago; it is being enclosed with someone talking/breathing/coughing or otherwise expelling mucous that freaks them out. Don't let the focus on ventilation kneecap the other safety considerations you need to make, where the single biggest risk you're taking is presumably that your partner is going to need to speak to the workers, in conditions that are going to probably be loud. If your partner has not already been wearing a mask AND face shield (to cover the eyes), they should. It will be very difficult to communicate at a distance of six feet or more, it is incredibly difficult to get other people to stay back six feet if it is not their habit, and even with both people masked two people shouting back and forth is about as awful a scenario as a masked scenario gets.
You have to assume that the workers will not actually comply with anything you ask of them. The government has made it clear that the restrictions are theatre and no enforcement will ever happen and your workers will have fake vaccine cards and will refuse to be tested and you can't make them. You either get the work done or you don't, those are the options you get here. They are not going to remain masked inside. Or outside. Make sure that wherever YOU are, they can't see you and come try to ask you questions. Do not run into the house for a minute while they're there assuming they'll be masked and using masks appropriately. You should probably get a bucket toilet to use outside somewhere during the day, honestly, and you might make best use of your box fan by setting up a tent in the back yard and running an extension cord to it so you can point it at yourself to stay cool while you also stay hidden.
posted by Lyn Never at 4:15 PM on May 17, 2022 [14 favorites]
All the instructions about ventilation are only going to prevent the workpersons from giving COVID to each other while they are in the rooms together. That only helps you out in that you'd probably prefer the fewest number of people have COVID inside your house as feasible, and for peace of mind that you are doing the most, but it does not appear that it would matter if you left the windows closed all day and only opened them after they left or did not open any windows but waited two hours.
For an additional layer of safety, I would recommend you decide in advance to stay in a limited area of the house unmasked during the times they are not there for the duration of the work, so that you can focus on airing out the rooms you will be spending time in. Put the fan in whichever bedroom you will generally restrict yourself to, have your partner do this after the workers are gone, wait two hours. If neither of your bathrooms are ensuite, you keep the closest one to your bedroom of choice and have them use the other. This is not because of the air, it is because COVID is detectable in fecal matter and as such is an exposure you should prioritize avoiding, even though there's no data on that form of transmission.
None of the medical professionals I know and trust are worried about going into a room where someone with COVID was a little while ago; it is being enclosed with someone talking/breathing/coughing or otherwise expelling mucous that freaks them out. Don't let the focus on ventilation kneecap the other safety considerations you need to make, where the single biggest risk you're taking is presumably that your partner is going to need to speak to the workers, in conditions that are going to probably be loud. If your partner has not already been wearing a mask AND face shield (to cover the eyes), they should. It will be very difficult to communicate at a distance of six feet or more, it is incredibly difficult to get other people to stay back six feet if it is not their habit, and even with both people masked two people shouting back and forth is about as awful a scenario as a masked scenario gets.
You have to assume that the workers will not actually comply with anything you ask of them. The government has made it clear that the restrictions are theatre and no enforcement will ever happen and your workers will have fake vaccine cards and will refuse to be tested and you can't make them. You either get the work done or you don't, those are the options you get here. They are not going to remain masked inside. Or outside. Make sure that wherever YOU are, they can't see you and come try to ask you questions. Do not run into the house for a minute while they're there assuming they'll be masked and using masks appropriately. You should probably get a bucket toilet to use outside somewhere during the day, honestly, and you might make best use of your box fan by setting up a tent in the back yard and running an extension cord to it so you can point it at yourself to stay cool while you also stay hidden.
posted by Lyn Never at 4:15 PM on May 17, 2022 [14 favorites]
Require the contractors to be vaccinated & boosted, and show you their vax cards or other proof.
No! Omicron variants don't work this way. Things have changed. Right now, vaccination provides a great resistance against death, but very little against getting (or passing) infections.
Do this:
* don't ask contractors to mask. They won't do it, and it will just piss them off, and you thinking they are safe could be a dangerous false hope
* everyone gets out of the house while contractors are there, and for about 4 hours after they leave.
* all windows remain open, fans are on, while contractors are there.
COVID is airborne, but it's not magic.
posted by soylent00FF00 at 4:15 PM on May 17, 2022 [16 favorites]
No! Omicron variants don't work this way. Things have changed. Right now, vaccination provides a great resistance against death, but very little against getting (or passing) infections.
Do this:
* don't ask contractors to mask. They won't do it, and it will just piss them off, and you thinking they are safe could be a dangerous false hope
* everyone gets out of the house while contractors are there, and for about 4 hours after they leave.
* all windows remain open, fans are on, while contractors are there.
COVID is airborne, but it's not magic.
posted by soylent00FF00 at 4:15 PM on May 17, 2022 [16 favorites]
For life or death, crowdfunding an airbnb is a totally legit ask . I’ve donated to friends’ crowdfunders in similar situations.
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 4:21 PM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 4:21 PM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
You don't have a basement or attic you could temporarily use, do you? It should be safe to be in the other rooms unmasked three hours after they've left.
posted by pinochiette at 5:39 PM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by pinochiette at 5:39 PM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Your plan sounds very similar to what my most immunocompromised friend did in a similar situation. I don't think you're missing anything major. I believe Friend actually camped out in their car, but they're already set up for car camping, so that was more reasonable for them than for most people, probably.
One wild out of left field option: any chance you have a local friend who would be willing to swap homes with you for a few days since a hotel isn't an option? I'd gladly have swapped out with my friend for a few days if there hadn't been some pet issues making that a nonstarter. Might not work if you need to be physically present to supervise the work but it's maybe an option.
posted by Stacey at 5:46 PM on May 17, 2022 [8 favorites]
One wild out of left field option: any chance you have a local friend who would be willing to swap homes with you for a few days since a hotel isn't an option? I'd gladly have swapped out with my friend for a few days if there hadn't been some pet issues making that a nonstarter. Might not work if you need to be physically present to supervise the work but it's maybe an option.
posted by Stacey at 5:46 PM on May 17, 2022 [8 favorites]
Someone really needs to put a stake through the heart of this "vaccinated + boosted = protected from infection" BS. Just because it's what the government keeps repeating ad nausea doesn't make it true.
posted by cfraenkel at 6:18 PM on May 17, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by cfraenkel at 6:18 PM on May 17, 2022 [9 favorites]
I would have your partner rapid test the contractors in the morning before work.
This is how film sets operate when an outbreak would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost production days.
Pay them $x each to come 15 mins early and get tested. (In film, people are paid about $30-200 depending on the role & travel time to get the test, and testing is done 2 days before work starts although you won’t be able to make contractors do that).
Do the test outdoors.
Partner wears fresh gloves for each person, N95 mask, and eye protection. Partner does the swab to ensure contact is made with mucous membrane. Inner cheeks and then nose, and ask them to press their nostril shut with one finger to get good contact with the swab.
Don’t let them inside for that 15 mins.
If they test positive, they get another $x to go home and lose their workday.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:14 PM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
This is how film sets operate when an outbreak would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost production days.
Pay them $x each to come 15 mins early and get tested. (In film, people are paid about $30-200 depending on the role & travel time to get the test, and testing is done 2 days before work starts although you won’t be able to make contractors do that).
Do the test outdoors.
Partner wears fresh gloves for each person, N95 mask, and eye protection. Partner does the swab to ensure contact is made with mucous membrane. Inner cheeks and then nose, and ask them to press their nostril shut with one finger to get good contact with the swab.
Don’t let them inside for that 15 mins.
If they test positive, they get another $x to go home and lose their workday.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:14 PM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Agree with the comments about Omicron and the possibility of infection even when vaccinated 2x and boosted 1x (it me* and many others all over). Vaccination status doesn't mean much now.
Also agree with the plan to be out of the well-ventilated house while the contractors are in there, if immunocompromised.
* I got better.
posted by emelenjr at 7:48 PM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Also agree with the plan to be out of the well-ventilated house while the contractors are in there, if immunocompromised.
* I got better.
posted by emelenjr at 7:48 PM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
CDC's Improving Ventilation in Your Home: Place a fan as close as possible to an open window blowing outside.
Home repair guy Bob Vila: To maximize air movement in the home, you need both in-blowing and out-blowing window fans.
I would buy or borrow more box fans or window fans.
posted by spamandkimchi at 7:50 PM on May 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
Home repair guy Bob Vila: To maximize air movement in the home, you need both in-blowing and out-blowing window fans.
I would buy or borrow more box fans or window fans.
posted by spamandkimchi at 7:50 PM on May 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
Also from the CDC Interactive Ventilation Tool:
How can I decrease the level of virus particles during and after a guest visits my home?
Select the options below to see how particle levels change as you adjust ventilation settings.
With an open window and HEPA filter, after one hour after the visitor leaves there is 98% particle reduction achieved in your home by using ventilation.
posted by spamandkimchi at 7:54 PM on May 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
How can I decrease the level of virus particles during and after a guest visits my home?
Select the options below to see how particle levels change as you adjust ventilation settings.
With an open window and HEPA filter, after one hour after the visitor leaves there is 98% particle reduction achieved in your home by using ventilation.
posted by spamandkimchi at 7:54 PM on May 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
Since you mentioned forced air... if you have a forced air heating (or cooling) system, it might be worth turning it on... even if it isn't seasonally appropriate to have it turned on during the day... perhaps your spouse could turn it on after the contractors leave. Actually, it's probably a good idea for your spouse to do a sweep of the house after the contractors leave to make sure all systems are in place.
It's also probably a good idea to make sure that the filters in question are still within their expected lifespan. Consider installing vent filters (if applicable).
If you have a wood burning fire place with an actual chimney, having a fire in the fireplace can help circulate air.
Are hallways a relevant factor?
Another option may be renting a (or several)... industrial strength fan(s) from your local big box store.
A contractor's vaccination status, might be one indicator in how seriously this individual is taking the threat from the coronavirus. Admittedly, hesitation/refusal to take a covid rapid test could be either due to not taking the virus seriously or having insufficient sick leave, but a contractor who tested negative would be an excellent sign.
It might be worth considering, restricting yourself for a period of time to a smaller subset of rooms that have excellent airflow (and doubling up on the mitigation measures in those rooms).
Make sure you work with your house's existing ventilation system when possible. Take advantage of cross breezes. If you have an exhaust fan for your kitchen stove, perhaps that could be used to induce certain circulation patterns.
posted by oceano at 9:38 PM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
It's also probably a good idea to make sure that the filters in question are still within their expected lifespan. Consider installing vent filters (if applicable).
If you have a wood burning fire place with an actual chimney, having a fire in the fireplace can help circulate air.
Are hallways a relevant factor?
Another option may be renting a (or several)... industrial strength fan(s) from your local big box store.
A contractor's vaccination status, might be one indicator in how seriously this individual is taking the threat from the coronavirus. Admittedly, hesitation/refusal to take a covid rapid test could be either due to not taking the virus seriously or having insufficient sick leave, but a contractor who tested negative would be an excellent sign.
It might be worth considering, restricting yourself for a period of time to a smaller subset of rooms that have excellent airflow (and doubling up on the mitigation measures in those rooms).
Make sure you work with your house's existing ventilation system when possible. Take advantage of cross breezes. If you have an exhaust fan for your kitchen stove, perhaps that could be used to induce certain circulation patterns.
posted by oceano at 9:38 PM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
If you can buy more box fans and build Corsi Rosenthal boxes, they are air filters that definitely move a lot of air.
I would also put a box fan in a living room window, facing out.
posted by Former Congressional Representative Lenny Lemming at 2:10 AM on May 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
I would also put a box fan in a living room window, facing out.
posted by Former Congressional Representative Lenny Lemming at 2:10 AM on May 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
EPidemiologist here. Your plan sounds good and sance and, without getting into the math aspect of your space and airflow, you're going to be able to refresh the air in this space in much less than four days by opening doors and windows. Fans will help, HEPA will help, but I would say it's unlikely you'll need to worry about sleeping if the windows and doors are open from 5 pm. Provide a path for airflow by opening as many sources of outdoor air exchange and the exchange will take place, even if you're not feeling a breeze. I'd vote for your help using the toilet with a window. The suggestion to minimize anxiety about this by living elsewhere during the work is something I endorse simply because situations like what you're asking about are always a bit ambiguous without specific measurements.
Have you collected some at-home Covid rapid tests? I would test myself after the work is complte and/or during the work if it provides added comfort. I would also speak with my doctor to see if I could get a regimen of Paxlovid to have at home (depending on the details of your immunocompromised state, this might be relatively easy to do).
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 4:10 AM on May 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
Have you collected some at-home Covid rapid tests? I would test myself after the work is complte and/or during the work if it provides added comfort. I would also speak with my doctor to see if I could get a regimen of Paxlovid to have at home (depending on the details of your immunocompromised state, this might be relatively easy to do).
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 4:10 AM on May 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
I would open windows plus box/window fans as you mentioned.
but I would turn off the air purifiers and cover them to protect them from construction dust, etc. With that volume of outside air moving through they won't be able to purify/filter anything. You said contractors, so that makes me think construction dust, etc which purifiers generally aren't meant for and would probably decrease the life of.
Leave the fans running after they leave for a bit, then start your purifiers & close the windows.
posted by TheAdamist at 4:34 AM on May 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
but I would turn off the air purifiers and cover them to protect them from construction dust, etc. With that volume of outside air moving through they won't be able to purify/filter anything. You said contractors, so that makes me think construction dust, etc which purifiers generally aren't meant for and would probably decrease the life of.
Leave the fans running after they leave for a bit, then start your purifiers & close the windows.
posted by TheAdamist at 4:34 AM on May 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Open every possible window, run the fan full-time, run other fans. Moving air is the key. It disperses any particles of viruses. I would especially have open windows on 2 floors, esp. if it's hot; the stack effect moves a lot of air quite effectively. Fans facing out upstairs, encouraging warm air to exit, facing in downstairs, bringing in fresh air. Late afternoon dreaming hotel's comments are esp. reliable.
Running the Heat/ AC on just air is a great idea if you have a system that can do that.
Be a really nice host. Buy N95 masks (Enros are considered good and comfortable) for them. Provide straws, because they're great for masks, maybe some soft drinks and snack items with a note thanking them for helping you stay healthy by wearing masks.
I have no scientific documentation, but I'd spray disinfectant, hoping moisture vapor would help pull down anything airborne.
Can you stay in your car with AC, or rent one? ideally a minivan.
posted by theora55 at 7:43 AM on May 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Running the Heat/ AC on just air is a great idea if you have a system that can do that.
Be a really nice host. Buy N95 masks (Enros are considered good and comfortable) for them. Provide straws, because they're great for masks, maybe some soft drinks and snack items with a note thanking them for helping you stay healthy by wearing masks.
I have no scientific documentation, but I'd spray disinfectant, hoping moisture vapor would help pull down anything airborne.
Can you stay in your car with AC, or rent one? ideally a minivan.
posted by theora55 at 7:43 AM on May 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Can you stay in your car with AC, or rent one? ideally a minivan.
Knowing AirBnB is not an option I came in to expand on this thought and suggest renting an RV for a few days and living out of that parked in your drive or nearby (going into your home at night a few hours after workers gone as needed for supplies / laundry etc). Sometimes they can even drop off campervans to you.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 8:46 AM on May 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Knowing AirBnB is not an option I came in to expand on this thought and suggest renting an RV for a few days and living out of that parked in your drive or nearby (going into your home at night a few hours after workers gone as needed for supplies / laundry etc). Sometimes they can even drop off campervans to you.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 8:46 AM on May 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
I don't know where you are and perhaps you're in an area that gets no rain this time of year. If you're not, then your staying outdoors and opening windows plans won't work if it rains. Your health is more important than your pocketbook, find an airbnb if you can. Take a short vacation if you need to. Even if it doesn't rain the whole scenario will generate a lot of stress for days on end.
posted by mareli at 10:15 AM on May 18, 2022
posted by mareli at 10:15 AM on May 18, 2022
Response by poster: Please y'all I understand that it is inconceivable that someone lives where airbnb is unavailable for whatever reason, but the world and america are vast and people who say something is not available are not generally being stubborn.
I really appreciate the helpful answers about increasing ventilation! And we do have a small side room that they will not access and isn't really connected to the rest of the house. We're doing some prep work to make that work out for sleeping in.
posted by Bottlecap at 11:49 AM on May 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
I really appreciate the helpful answers about increasing ventilation! And we do have a small side room that they will not access and isn't really connected to the rest of the house. We're doing some prep work to make that work out for sleeping in.
posted by Bottlecap at 11:49 AM on May 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
There was a study published at the beginning of the year (still not peer-reviewed, as far as I’m aware) that said only about 10% of virus particles are infectious after 20 minutes. It also said humidity makes a huge difference (with lower humidity causing the virus to lose infectiousness quicker), so anything you can do to reduce humidity will probably help.
posted by kyten at 4:45 AM on May 19, 2022
posted by kyten at 4:45 AM on May 19, 2022
My kid is immunocompromised and when we had work done we did masks + tests + air filters + open windows all day plus aired out the house for two hours after they left. After the two hours we ran out usual HEPA filters in bedrooms and the living room and my Lysol'ed every surface we could (like wet it down and wait 5 mins like the label says, not random spritzing) and we came through it uninfected. Good luck, I know how scary this is, I'm sorry.
posted by julie_of_the_jungle at 6:52 AM on May 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by julie_of_the_jungle at 6:52 AM on May 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: We are five days out and still testing negative! I think we made it through. Thank you everyone!
posted by Bottlecap at 7:26 PM on June 1, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by Bottlecap at 7:26 PM on June 1, 2022 [3 favorites]
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