How to make your guests feel most comfortable with covid-19 still in our midsts.
The Coronavirus has taught us a lot of lessons. One of them is how people feel when walking into a room during a pandemic. Many people now feel uncomfortable and awkward with any type of space that isn’t their own if you observe closely. We all had to quarantine in our own homes for months on end. It’s only fair that it’s a weird feeling to leave your protected space into the unknown.
As we take baby steps back into our social lives, we begin to wonder how we could make our guests feel as comfortable as possible with the vaccine release. Obviously, the first step is always making sure that you and those you live with are 100% virus-free. However, the next steps aren’t as obvious:
1. Keep it Small
I would love to invite all my friends over at the same time. Unfortunately, that is impossible with the current state of the world. However, inviting over a small number of friends will ensure that your guests can feel comfortable with the other people around. It is one thing for you and yours to be healthy and virus-free in the household, but remember that you need to consider how the guest would feel around any other people if you are inviting guests.
If you know that one of your friends is particularly anxious during this time, which many people are, consider keeping it to just you and that friend. Don’t stress them out with the chances of other people ruining their mental state at your house. Keep it small, as the smaller the crowd, the safer and better for all.
Also, always invite people that trust you and vice versa. Trust, however, is not enough anymore. People need reassurance that the places they step foot in are safe enough to feel comfortable. By directly telling them the situation in your household and keeping a limited number of people that truly feel comfortable with each other, you can adequately have people over and feel confident that they feel secure at yours.
2. Keep it Clean
Imagine walking into a dirty house. Gross right? Now triple that.
With a virus spreading faster than wildfires, it is only fair to keep your home feeling clean when guests come over. If there are signs of dirt and germs, forget about it. Everyone has become so extremely sensitive and aware of their surroundings that it would be a very awkward experience to be sitting in a dirty home. How would they feel afterward? I would feel like I just got the virus by merely breathing in that unhygienic air.
Keep your home clean with these sanitizing tips and products:
Always wipe down every surface of your house with a disinfectant before your guest arrives. This means remote controls, countertops, the coffee table, the kitchen area, etc.… Every object that has the potential to be picked up and used by your guest needs to be cleaned. Some suitable disinfectants include:
The Honest Company Disinfecting Spray
Seventh Generation Professional Disinfecting Kitchen Cleaner
Ask every person that steps into your house to wash their hands and apply hand sanitizer. Some good soaps and sanitizers include:
Softsoap Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap
Dial Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap
Take their temperature with a forehead thermometer. I’m not sure if this actually works all the time, but there is nothing wrong with taking extra safety precautions. Some suitable thermometers include:
iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer
Ask your guest if they would prefer masks on in the room. This question is rarely asked but always in question. Make it clear that you want your guest to make themselves as comfortable as possible. Some good masks include:
Always keep it smelling clean and warm with candles, room sprays, and cleaning products. The cleaner your house smells, the safer one will automatically feel. Some good-smelling candles, sprays, and cleaning products include:
Replenish Multi-Surface Cleaner
Schmidt’s Deodorant, Spray Multi-Surface Vinegar Amber
Byredo Cotton Poplin Scented Candle
NEST Fragrances Linen Classic Candle
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Scented Soy Aromatherapy Candle
Keep sanitizing stations around the house. Have sanitizers in every room, tissues, gloves, masks, alcohol wipes, and anything else you think would create a sense of cleanliness and safety.
Make everything disposable. It will be easier for you to clean up, and no one has to wonder whether your cups or plates were cleaned well enough to use. Some good disposable sets include:
3. Know the Facts
Here are some facts that you may or may not be aware of when it comes to the Coronavirus. These are put here to keep in the back of your head when having people over. If you’re thinking about them, it means you are doing the most to take care of yourself and your guests. Your home’s energy will feel much lighter, and the burden way less to carry if you are keeping yourself informed. This basically goes for everything, but for today, this goes specifically for the pandemic. These are directly taken from the CDC for the best information possible.
Coronaviruses on surfaces and objects naturally die within hours to days. Warmer temperatures and exposure to sunlight will reduce the time the virus survives on surfaces and objects.
Normal routine cleaning with soap and water removes germs and dirt from surfaces. It lowers the risk of spreading COVID-19 infection.
Disinfectants kill germs on surfaces. By killing germs on a surface after cleaning, you can further lower the risk of spreading infection. EPA-approved disinfectants are an important part of reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19. If disinfectants on this list are in short supply, alternative disinfectants can be used (for example, 1/3 cup of bleach added to 1 gallon of water, or 70% alcohol solutions).
Store and use disinfectants in a responsible and appropriate manner according to the label. Do not mix bleach or other cleaning and disinfection products together—this can cause fumes that may be very dangerous to breathe in. Keep all disinfectants out of the reach of children.
Do not overuse or stockpile disinfectants or other supplies. This can result in shortages of appropriate products for others to use in critical situations.
Always wear gloves appropriate for the chemicals being used when you are cleaning and disinfecting. Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) may be needed based on setting and product.
For more information, see CDC’s website on Cleaning and Disinfection for Community Facilities.
Practice social distancing, wear facial coverings, and follow proper prevention hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently and using alcohol-based (at least 60% alcohol) hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
Examples of frequently touched surfaces and objects that will need routine disinfection following reopening are tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks, and touch screens.
Here is the CDC website on Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting as we reopen our country and our homes.
Most importantly, stay safe and keep your circle small!
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