At the time of this writing, we’re starting to see the much-anticipated second wave of COVID-19 infections and deaths due to colder temperatures settling over much of the U.S. and people moving activities indoors. Global cases have already exceeded 50 million, and one projection has that doubling by early 2021.With hospitals filling quickly with those suffering from complications or more severe cases of COVID-19, we must be more diligent than ever in how we approach infection control in all of our indoor spaces.
It’s possible that you’ve already received pushback to your cleaning and disinfection efforts. A recent article in The Atlantic, a literary and culture magazine, referred to the current focus on cleaning and disinfection as “hygiene theater.” The author suggested that the focus (or “obsession”) on disinfection (what he calls “risk-reduction rituals”) only serves to make us feel better, “but don’t actually do much to reduce risk.” He should be thankful that healthcare facilities don’t take that approach.