1. Here's a few more useful pandemic lifestyle tips from hazmat class. Everyone has heard of a Hot Zone, of course. It's the dramatic one, the big flashy zone, the one that gets all the attention. But did you know about the Warm Zone and the Cold Zone?
2. The Hot Zone is the area in which one has a reasonable expectation of exposure to A Bad Thing. The Cold Zone is, essentially, the entire rest of the world beyond the borders of the incident response, where no trace of That Specific Bad Thing is meant to be carried.
3. Now, "the Warm Zone" is not just an overly technical way of describing the buffer between them. The Warm Zone particularly means a controlled working space for transition between the Hot and Cold Zones. It's where equipment is donned, removed, washed, etc.
4. My level of hazmat training, Operations, was specifically intended to qualify one to set up, maintain, and break down the Warm Zone, in order to cordon off incidents or support more specialized personnel in dealing with them within the Hot Zone.
5. Getting into and out of hazmat response gear is a vast pain in the ass. Doing it efficiently and safely requires planning and help. Remember, carelessly removing protective gear can expose you to a hazard just as if you'd never bothered wearing it.
6. So, the Warm Zone is a narrow control point which basically helps keep Bad Stuff from being scattered and spattered all over the place as people go about their necessary business.
7. In our present mess, the usual orientation of the Hot and Cold zones is flipped. The Cold Zone, so far as one can tell, is one's place of residence or refuge, while the Hot Zone is (makes a broad sweeping gesture) the whole rest of our hot mess of a giant blue marble.
8. So, think about your Warm Zone. If space and equipment permits, you absolutely want to set up some procedures for coming and going when you must leave isolation for vital errands.
9. Outerwear that goes into the outside world should NOT be worn casually when you return, if you can help it at all. The hoodie you rode the subway or visited the store in should not be what you lounge in for the rest of the day. Stash your outside wear near the door.
10. Take off your shoes or boots. Again, stash them at your control point. If you've had any serious potential for human contact (like visiting a grocery store), I'd ditch legwear, too. Launder jeans and skirts. Etc.
11. Think about setting up some kind of entry station with the stuff you need to get your outside wear off, safely hung up, and start the washing process. A place to stash or hang masks. A place to drop gloves. Soap or sanitizer immediately available.
12. Ziploc bags are a great place to stash PPE in lieu of just flinging it around. For god's sake, please don't just discard masks and gloves in streets or parking lots, any more than you would just fling that stuff around your home.
13. Any small plastic container also works. There's no universal solution; it's gotta fit your needs and your living space, but it's the sort of thing where just ten minutes of real thought and planning can pay big dividends.
14. Remember, you must presume that you are DANGEROUS to other members of your household when you first return from a trip outside of isolation. Do not hug at the door! Do not let anyone else handle your PPE or outerwear if you can help it at all.
15. Unload bags as close to the door as possible. Don't scatter them around your living space. Again, don't let people who remained in isolation get their unprotected hands all over the stuff you carried in from the outside world, any time you can help it.
16. If you have the space to safely do so, I would even go so far as to suggest just leaving non-perishable goods in a quarantine of their own. Stash stuff in the closet, the foyer, the porch, whatever. Let it sit a while, and/or sanitize its surfaces if you can.
17. Everyone's particular response will depend upon available space, means, and physical needs. Again, there is no single right answer. Just remember that every little thing you can do to increase the chance of a positive outcome for is not wasted effort.
18. Also? Last tip, very important. Planning and rehearsal! Planning is GOLD. Talk yourself through what you intend to do! "Tomorrow, I am making my weekly trip to the store. When I get back, I am going to put THIS here, and THAT there, then WASH this..."
19. Improvisation in a biohazard situation is bullshit. This isn't about quick wits, it's about staying calm and being thorough. Talking yourself through your plan will help you do that.
20. Look, this whole mess sucks. I appreciate the time and attention you folks have given me, and your kindness toward my work. I dearly wish my years of firefighter training were just a source of anecdotes I could amuse you with at leisure. Stay safe out there.
