No Escape from the Virus!

Without exception, we will all be infected!

How Far Can Disinfection Go?

No cleaning protocol is perfect, but by combining cleaning with other public health initiatives like social distancing, we will reduce transmission.

Don't think that the world is only plagued by #COVID19: measles, polio, meningitis, whooping cough, tetanus, and hepatitis vaccines will rapidly surge once halted and can cause serious health problems.

Viruses Are Mysterious

Exactly, just like with the flu virus, in the coming years and decades we will learn to live with this virus. All current measures such as quarantine, holidays, leave, etc. are taken to slow the virus's spread and prevent the healthcare system from collapsing.

The Later We Get Infected, The Better

Viruses are generally hard to understand, extremely intelligent, and dangerous.

R0 Value, Basic Reproduction Number

This value estimates the average number of people infected by a single infected person. For the flu, approximately 1.3. According to a study published in NEJM on January 29, Covid-19's value is 2.2.

Spread of Covid-19

It spread to 84% of the world in 99 days, causing over 10,000 deaths. It was revealed that scientists warned about a new type of coronavirus in 2007.

World Status (As of March 20, 2020, 14:43)

  • 163 countries worldwide are fighting Covid-19.
  • More than 86,000 infected people have been discharged after treatment.
  • Over 245,000 cases and more than 10,000 deaths.

Italy Status

Until yesterday, China had the highest loss with 3,133 deaths, now it is second! Italy, where the first case was seen on January 31, became the country with the most deaths in just 49 days with 3,405 deaths.

Life Style of Viruses

They need a cell, just like us; they are living beings that survive thanks to the area they inhabit and depend on living beings. They are accustomed to living with animals.

About Viruses

You haven't heard! Right? But it is one of the most common viruses in the world and once it enters our body, it can never be eliminated until we die. (So what does this virus do? It causes cold sores on your lip. That's it. It doesn't kill us because if we die, it can't live either.)

The flu virus has a mortality rate of about 0.1% and generally kills those who already have chronic problems in their body.

Herpes Labialis

Viruses don't know us, and we don't know them. In short, we don't know each other.

Mutation: It does not yet know the conditions of the new host it has settled in. After a certain period, both we will gain immunity to them and they will mutate for their endless life. Thus, we will learn to live together.

Diamond Princess Ship Example

Out of 700 people, 350 did not feel the disease. And they are still very healthy. They are not bedridden. Their average age is quite high.

Immune System

The immune system of the 350 people on the ship is very strong. Among us, those with good immunity, those who exercise, eat the right foods, do not smoke, etc., may not even feel this disease. They may overcome it like a mild flu and continue their lives.

  • Body Resistance
  • Exercise-Movement
  • Nutrition

Recommendations for Businesses

  1. Quarantine yourself. Those who contact the virus last will be the luckiest.
  2. Hygiene. Pay as much attention to cleanliness as possible.
  3. Eat fruits and vegetables.
  4. Consume foods good for immunity like garlic, kefir, yogurt.
  5. Take supplements and vitamins very good for immunity. Examples: beta glucans, vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, etc.
  6. Exercise and do sports at home.
  7. Quit smoking.
  8. Drink plenty of water.

In the coming years, maybe even months or weeks, it will mutate, either becoming more deadly, which it would lose itself so I see this as unlikely, or it will learn to live with us. Even if a vaccine is found, it will lose its function every time it mutates. Flu vaccines are like this too. They only protect you from flu viruses of past years, not new ones. So they do not provide full protection.

Full Protection Is Our Immune System

For the virus to continue living, it must not kill its host and must be able to move to other hosts. It is forced to mutate.

Mutation is related to generations, and since viruses reproduce and die very quickly, while generational change takes years for us, it can take hours for them. And there is a high probability that over time the virus will mutate in a way that it does not kill the infected person. So the later you catch this virus, the less dangerous it will be.

Mutation or variation: Permanent changes occurring in the DNA or RNA sequence within the genome of a living organism.

Quarantine-Isolation

Every person diagnosed as sick is taken under control. Transmission is prevented for 14 days to avoid spreading the disease.

We should fear not the increase in diagnosed patients, but those who circulate undiagnosed and do not take precautions.

Test, Test, Test...

Out of 1981 tests, 8.4% were positive. It is also useful to remember that every detected positive case has almost no chance of spreading the virus (%100 not guaranteed), but it allows screening of their close contacts or people they have been in contact with.

Positivity in Children

90.1% of positive child cases have a definite or suspected positive history in the family. By protecting ourselves, we will also protect our children.

Measures Taken in Businesses

  • Disinfection of high-contact surfaces was done hourly/daily/weekly.

Education and Information Flow

Employees must be included in orientation trainings containing details about the pandemic Coronavirus (What is Coronavirus?, How Does It Spread?, Symptoms?, Protection Methods?, etc.).

The importance of personal hygiene should be frequently reminded to personnel, and reminder and warning posters about the subject should be hung in all personnel areas. Daily reminders should be made.

During the day, guests and employees should be observed; information about guests showing symptoms or suspicion of illness should be given to department managers, health officers, or the crisis committee.

Operational Flow Recommendations

  • Surfaces frequently touched by personnel and guests (door handles, stair railings, elevator buttons, etc.) should be cleaned with disinfectant by responsible personnel every 30 minutes.
  • Disinfection of products and vehicles for suppliers, and pest control and rodenticide applications should be intensified.
  • All door records should be archived.
  • Areas where personnel gather in groups, such as rest areas, should be designed according to the 1-meter rule.
  • Ventilation and disinfection of personnel shuttles should be informed daily within facility internal applications.
  • Luggage should be disinfected at the point where it is unloaded from the vehicle (in a designated area) before entering the facility.
  • Shared devices (phones, computers, scanners, etc.) should be cleaned with disinfectant as frequently as possible.
  • A waiting line should be drawn in front of the desk (according to the 1-meter rule).
  • Room blockages should be done based on risk analysis according to obtained information and risk groups.
  • A controllable floor quarantine area should be designated in a section of the hotel's standard rooms.
  • Visitors coming to visit guests should not be admitted to the facility.

Follow-up Recommendations in Businesses

  • Chemical stock should be regularly checked.
  • Automatic paper towel dispenser sensors, toilet seat covers, and toilet papers should be placed in smaller amounts than usual.
  • Equipment and portable materials can be exposed to sunlight.
  • Water heaters, irons, safe code buttons, and booklet materials should be disinfected.
  • Materials arriving at the facility (except those under cold chain) should be kept in the receiving area and taken to storage after disinfection.
  • Parcels addressed to personnel should not be accepted at the facility; personnel parcels should be delivered to the recipient outside the facility.
  • An area should be created next to the security point for parcels; incoming parcels should be collected there, disinfected, and owners informed.
  • Monitoring in the quarantine area created within the facility should be done by a responsible staff member or camera system.
  • Paper towels should only be used inside dispensers. Rolls should not be used freely.
  • Foods should be prepared as individual servings; buffet cleaning can be done with steam.
  • Food production should be daily; servings should be small and frequently renewed.
  • Returned products from the buffet should be destroyed due to suspicion of contamination.
  • Products should be taken into the kitchen after removing from packaging.
  • Baby chairs should be washed with soapy water as in routine practice and disinfected with appropriate disinfectant, then covered with cling film.
  • Dishwasher temperatures should be checked and recorded; any temperature drops or irregularities should be reported immediately.
  • Tables and chairs should be arranged according to the 1-meter rule.
  • Three separate teams should be assigned for restaurants: 1. Waiters serving, 2. Busboys clearing empty dishes, 3. Hygiene team renewing and cleaning table settings.
  • Foreign personnel should be asked before starting work if they have been in countries heavily affected by the disease or in contact with citizens of those countries.
  • No personnel showing flu infection symptoms should come to work; they must obtain a hospital report regarding their illness.
  • Personnel lodgings, office desks, computer keyboards and mice, photocopiers, printers, office doors, cabinet doors, and drawer handles and all frequently touched surfaces should be disinfected.
  • Massage workers should shower after each massage.
  • Management and department meetings should be arranged according to the 1-meter rule.

Structural Recommendations in Businesses

  • Buildings and operation concepts with narrow spaces (Restaurant, Buffet, Mini Club, SPA)
  • Humidity level, ventilation
  • Cash and credit card transactions
  • Remote working models
  • Kiosk machines
  • Elevator sensor-tracking management

Infectious Disease Management and Consultancy

In case of suspicion of COVID-19 disease, or if you have fever and cough, for information on how to act, you can visit http://koronaonlem.saglik.gov.tr or call 184.

Thank you for watching the presentation.