Future Friday: How to be safe and not trashy

On YouTube, I happened upon a video of a nurse demonstrating how wearing disposable gloves to go shopping is not a good way to protect yourself against transmission of the coronavirus.  Three times she said, "Throw your gloves in the trash."  I was puzzled, until I started reading articles about all the trash that people are creating trying to be hygenic.

Single use antiseptic plastic bottles are ending up in the ocean.  Masks are littering the beaches.  And disposable gloves are ending up in parking lots, on streets curbs, in parks, everywhere.  It is like we have totally forgotten that we need to recycle and reuse.  So here are some tips:

1) You can make your own hand sanitizer or buy one big jug.  Here are simple directions:

• Mix 2/3 cup of rubbing alcohol to 1/3 cup of aloe vera gel. If you don't have a funnel then use a paper plate and roll it into a funnel.
• The aloe vera will help ease the sting of the alcohol. If you have an aloe plant at home just strip the leaves and mash the gel.
• If you hate the smell of alcohol add a drop or two of essential oil to your mix. 

2) For using the gel in public, refill the small bottle you have already bought.  OR...

3) Make your toothpaste tube into a reusable one by filling it with hand sanitizer and sticking it in your pocket or purse. 

4) DON'T USE DISPOSABLE GLOVES AT ALL, UNLESS you are caring for someone with COVID-19 (then use them for cleaning and disinfecting).  Leave them for the medical people who need them and know how to dispose of them safely.  Washing your hands for 20 seconds is far better for your own health than using gloves.  If you do have to use gloves, because someone is sick...be sure to remove them safely, dispose of them in the trash only, and wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water.

5) Use cloth masks, not disposable ones...and please USE THEM.  Only medical people need the disposable ones.  Choose masks with pleats (wear the pleats downward), a filter pocket and a wire to close over the bridge of your nose. or make them if you sew (which I do not). Here's the best pattern we have found. 

6) Face shields are excellent protection.  They are not that hard to make and can be cleaned with alcohol.  Here is a video to show how we make ours. Make these and leave the good medical ones for medical staff please.

7) When you do go out, come home and take your clothes off and wash them and shower.  Clean the bottom of your shoes with bleach or alcohol wipes before entering your home.  Here are directions for making bleach paper and reusable wipes.  I prefer the reusable.

For our own health and the health of others, take these suggestions.  Keeping the world clean helps us survive as well... not counting all the birds, fish, whales, sea turtles, and the list goes on and on.

Trashy is not only deadly, but it is tacky.  Let's be safe and clean and healthy.

-Kathleen

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