With students and teachers across North America returning to school, experts reported welcome information in early fall: rates of infection at schools appear to be below that found in surrounding communities. While that may change as data accumulates and schools continue sessions, every interested party – teachers, parents, students, administrators – took heart at the news.
One of the reasons schools may be safer locations to congregate? New and stringent protocols for cleaning and treating spaces and facilities. “Public health authorities have confirmed that cleaning and treating surfaces and objects reduces the virus and likely reduces infection risk,” says Leslie Anderson, Vice President of Training and Launch for Paul Davis. “Good hand hygiene and masking are also recommended but regularly treating surfaces is a must.”
Paul Davis, which is adept at working effectively with large districts comprising many schools, follows all applicable government and administrative requirements to plan and execute effective cleaning. The company addresses four major areas of focus for each cleaning project, whether it covers one school or dozens:
Planning: Effective cleaning begins with thorough planning that tailors treatment to each district, building and population; elementary schools may receive more frequent treatment due to younger populations that adhere less effectively to contact restrictions, for example. Paul Davis develops plans that address: areas to be treated, frequency of treatment, specialized cleaning procedures after positive COVID tests, special instructions (some items or areas may be covered with protective films, replaced by single-use options or restricted from widespread use), maintenance schedules, school staff training and much more. Paul Davis updates customer-specific plans regularly.
Equipment: Effective cleaning requires specific tools, certified cleaning products and personal protective equipment for technicians. Many government agencies have compiled lists of products that have tested as effective against COVID-19. Paul Davis ensures supplies and equipment are always available for successful cleaning program implementation.
Technique: Standard operating procedures are essential to effectively treating areas. For example, cleaning often must occur before germicide is applied. “For a germicide to work,” Anderson explains, “it must contact the organisms: if they are covered with grime, they are protected against the germicide. Further, disinfectants must remain undisturbed for 30 seconds to as long as 10 minutes, depending on the product, to be effective.” Paul Davis technicians are carefully trained in proper technique.
Communication: Paul Davis managers communicate frequently with administrators and school district officials to evaluate developing needs, as might occur if someone on school property tests positive for COVID-19. They keep officials apprised of cleaning progress as well as adjusting schedules and updating cleaning plans. Many schools have tasked Paul Davis to assist with signage, too, that notifies people about cleaning measures and advises occupants how to protect themselves and others.
Paul Davis is revolutionizing cleaning services with its multifaceted TouchLessService™ program. “One of its initiatives is decreasing touchpoints between customers and our team members,” Anderson says. “For instance, we added signature and electronic document technologies to eliminate sharing devices or writing implements. TouchLessService maintains strict safety for employees, partners and customers from first contact through project completion to reduce virus risk at all times.”
To learn more about COVID cleaning services and TouchLessService, call your local Paul Davis office or 844-215-7898 for more information.