Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/Healthy Living/COVID-19 Ask the Expert: Dr. Robert Frenck

COVID-19 Ask the Expert: Dr. Robert Frenck

COVID-19 Ask the Expert: Dr. Robert Frenck
April 8, 2020
Bob Frenck MD
0 Comments

As people around the country deal with longer and longer periods of isolation due to COVID-19, we asked Dr. Robert Frenck, medical director of the division of infectious diseases at Cincinnati Children’s, to answer some common questions from families living in this uncertain time.

Is it safe to accept mail and packages in light of COVID-19 concerns?

We still are learning about the length of time the virus can survive off the body. It appears the virus MAY be able to live up to 24 hours on cardboard but less so on paper. That would be under an ideal environment for the virus. The likelihood that mail or a package would be able to transmit the virus is quite low. If you wanted to be as safe as possible, you could wash your hands after opening the package and you could use a letter opener for letters. However, this likely is more than required

Do you need to sanitize your produce or grocery bags when you get home from the store?

I would say the same here. It is unlikely that the virus can live more than a few hours on food. But, if you have fresh produce, you can wash it to decrease the risk of acquiring coronavirus or other foodborne infections

Is it safe to order takeout or have food delivered?

Any viral contamination likely would be killed in the cooking. The biggest risk from take out or delivery would be the hands of the server. If they are using good hygiene and wearing gloves, the risk should be minimal.

Should you wash your clothes after coming home from the store, going on a walk, etc.?

No. The only exception would be if someone coughed or sneezed directly on your clothes.

How can families best cope with self-isolating one, or multiple members, within a shared home?

Maintaining social distancing within a house is not fun, but it is possible. If you are parents with a young child, there is only so much that is possible. If you have been exposed, or are sick, are there friends or family members outside the home that can take your children until you are well, or the period of incubation has passed?

Wash your hands well (20 seconds with soap and water or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol) after touching your child and do not touch your face until you have washed your hands. If one parent is sick or exposed, you need to isolate yourself and have the other parent assume parenting responsibilities.

I know that is easier said than done but maintaining a separation of space is critical to stop the spread of the infection. Also, please DON’T have big family gatherings during this period of “shelter in place”. This type of gathering inevitably will lead to close interactions that will facilitate spread of the infection. We can have the big party once we have weathered the pandemic.

Do you have any other tips from preventing coronavirus from entering your home?

The main mode of transmission is droplet. That means that the virus is in the mucus that comes out when you sneeze or cough. The maximum distance the particles travel is about five feet, which is why that is the area of social distancing recommended. It is not that there is virus floating around an infected person, but as you don’t know when someone may sneeze or cough, being that far away protects you.

The other means of transmission is direct spread from one person to another. The most common situation is when someone coughs or sneezes into their hand and then shakes hands with you and you touch your face (particularly eyes/nose/mouth).

The last mode of transmission is by touching infected surfaces, which is why the recommendation to clean/disinfect at least daily surfaces that are heavily touched. You can use regular household cleaners. If the surface can have bleach on it, then a dilute bleach solution is a good disinfectant. Alcohol products with at least 60% alcohol also are good disinfectants.

 

Related Articles

Adults with Congenital Heart Disease: 5 Ways a Cardiac Neuropsychologist Can Help
Adults with Congenital Heart Disease: 5 Ways a Cardiac Neuropsychologist Can Help
Podcast | Namaste Together: Yoga for Kids
Podcast | Namaste Together: Yoga for Kids
Summer Events and Festivals: A Safety Guide for Families
Summer Events and Festivals: A Safety Guide for Families
Considering Sleepaway Camp for Your Child?
Considering Sleepaway Camp for Your Child?
TAGS:

About the author: Bob Frenck MD

Robert W. Frenck, Jr., MD, is director of Clinical Medicine and a vaccine researcher at Cincinnati Children's. He has authored over 60 articles and book chapters on the topic of infectious diseases.

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Comments Yet

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • Learning and Growing
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Pin of the Week
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • The Young & Healthy Podcast
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Subscribe today to our family newsletter for tips, blog posts, podcasts and more.

Subscribe Now

Popular Posts

  • 6 Questions to Ask When Your Child Complains of Chest Pain 838 views

  • Lean, Purple Drank, Sizzurp: A Dangerous Teenage Drink 608 views

  • Stuttering In Young Kids: When To Be Concerned 507 views

  • Family Finds Heart Care Needed for Complex Condition 301 views

  • How To Increase Calories In Your Underweight Child’s Diet 264 views

  • Tips for Helping Babies Transition to Cow’s Milk 222 views

About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2025 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center