As the US Death Toll Exceeds 100,000 from COVID-19:

 Protecting Yourself, Your Family, and Your Business —5 Things We Have Learned!

And Some Comfort for You & Your Family

In the last 2 weeks, we have benefitted from 40 hours of intensive instruction from Professors, PHD’s and Certified Forensic Specialist Instructors from BYU, Miami University, Western Sydney University School of Medicine, University of Tulsa, Yale University as well as some of the most respected Bio-Risk experts in the Industry.  We’ve been using the Internet to Connect us with Experts from all over the country.  There is much to learn!  We’re going to make this as simple as possible with the 5 take-aways below.

1.  Nothing is Better for Your Home Environment Against Virus Attack Than Cleaning!

Using detergent and water deactivates viruses.  Like some other virus’ Covid-19 is an enveloped virus.  COVID-19 is encased in a lipid envelope.  Thankfully, when it meets detergent and water, it breaks this protective barrier, leaving the virus vulnerable and subject to certain death.  

Cleaning the areas your family and pets touch is extremely important in your defense against virus.  As a reminder, after touching any surface that could have come in contact with the virus, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly.  Thorough washing includes the area between fingers, fingertips, your palms and backs of hands for at least 20 seconds.  Its recommended that you dry your hands with a disposable towel.  Remember to place the used towel in a receptacle so that no one comes into contact with it.  DO NOT TOUCH YOUR MOUTH, NOSE OR EYES with unwashed hands!  As spring has arrived, many are thinking about cleaning their homes, especially since we’ve been stuck indoors so much.  Rest assured, we’re here to help with your cleaning needs.  And we’ll do it safely to protect you and our staff.  (See our assurance to you in Point #3.)

2.  Use an EPA Approved Disinfectant & Sterilizers

If the surface or area is soiled, cleaning is very important.  If the surface is clean, most household EPA registered disinfects will do a great job IF YOU FOLLOW LABEL INSTRUCTIONS!  The EPA mandates instructions that include the proper dwell time that the disinfectant must remain wet to kill viruses and bacteria.  Disinfectant dwell time is very important.  Depending on the product, it could be seconds or several minutes.  Whatever the label says, DO!  In fact, if you use a disinfectant differently than directed it is a violation of federal law.  It’s not hard to do it right.  Just READ THE LABEL!

Long’s is here to help with your disinfecting efforts.  We use an EPA approved disinfectant that is not only approved for Disinfection, but beyond disinfection, including STERILIZATION, which is considered the most effective in a medical environment.  We cannot make specific claims or guarantees regarding COVID-19.  No company can.  Since the virus is still so new, no one lawfully can guarantee that a product will completely kill it.  Disinfectants have not yet been tested on this exact strain of virus.  Since no products have been studied long enough to confirm, the EPA has provided a list of products they recommend for this situation.

Long’s uses only the best products and systems available.  The products we use are recommended by the CDC & EPA based upon their results with similar viruses, yet they are safe enough to use on food.  We use an Electrostatic Sprayer Applicator that goes far beyond simply spraying a disinfectant on your surfaces.  Our specialized sprayers apply a positive charge to each droplet of disinfectant to allow it to cling to the surface and wrap around it.  This system allows for far more effective application of the disinfectant.

We also have UV Lights that can be installed in Furnace Ductwork to Deactivate Airborne Pathogens.

3.  Our Assurance to You

In line with what we have learned thus far in these uncharted waters, we are taking every known step to help you in this effort to protect yourself, your family, your home, and workplaces.  

Every Day We Do the Following to Protect You:

A.  We interview our technicians as to how they feel and if they have any symptoms of infection.

B.  We take our technicians’ temperature at the start of their shift.

C.  Our technicians will wear surgical-like shoe covers.

D.  Our technicians will wear disposable surgical-like gloves.

E.  Our technicians wear masks when in a home or business with others present.

F.  Our tools will be treated with EPA registered disinfectant before coming to your home or business and after leaving.

4.  What We Ask of YOU

A.  Be open with us regarding your cleaning needs.  Let us know if you are dealing with any issues.

B.  We ask that you allow us to maintain the CDC Recommended 6 Foot Social Distance while working in your home or business.

C.  We are happy to clean if you need to improve the appearance of your home or business.

D.  We are delighted if you are cleaning for health and safety reasons.

E.  We will carefully assess the situation if you have had flu or virus symptoms recently.

F.  We will not come into a home or business if there is an active COVID-19 situation in progress.  Once enough time has passed, we can properly assess cleaning prospects for your home or business environment.

5.  As Information Unfolds, We Will Keep You Informed

As we said at the beginning, we are continuing to take advantage of cutting-edge findings to ensure a safe outcome for everyone during this difficult time.  It is our hope here at Long’s that you can stay healthy and happy during this pandemic.  If you have questions, concerns, or worries, our staff is here to support you.  If you just need advice, we’ll be happy to help you get through this.  And if we can brighten your day and outlook by freshening your surroundings, please let us know.  We will be happy to see you!  We’ll just be wearing gloves and masks to keep us all safe and healthy!

Give us a call at 740-676-2178 or 304-232-7775 or 740-282-2000 or 724-222-1212 or 740-695-2266

* This information is not to diagnose, treat or prevent disease.  It is merely a restatement of some of the numerous pieces of data on this subject.  You should check with your own health care resources and make your own educated health decisions.  No system, cleaning, or treatment is guaranteed to protect against illness.

Long’s is working hard to keep the community safe. Check out Long’s interview on WTRF TV7. Call 740-676-2178 for Tips and Advice on How to Keep Your Family Safe!

I travel a lot.  So does my wife.  Neither of us ever checks luggage.  And I, at least, never spend more than 15 minutes packing!  Here are some tips to make preparing for your next trip easier and faster.

1. Choose one or two colors.  Reducing your wardrobe to a single color (and one contrasting  highlight color) greatly reduces the number of  items you need to bring.  My choice is black and white or black and  gray.

2. Pack only one pair of shoes.  Shoes are the most space-consuming item in your bag. If your main color is black, bring black shoes.  Wear one pair on the plane – a comfortable pair that can double as gym shoes – and pack a dressier pair that (1) will look fine with a suit/dress, and (2) you can wear to walk in the city.

3. If you’re a man, you only need one jacket. A blazer or conservative sports coat is best.  Wear it, don’t pack it.

4. Make your travel pack half the size it is normally.  You don’t need shampoo, soap, etc. if you are staying at a decent hotel.

5. Place the heavy stuff … your extra pair of shoes and your travel pack … at the bot-tom of your carry-on bag.  On top of that, put your pants/dresses.  Shirts come next. Sweaters go on top.

6. If you are going to be away a week or less, take the time to plan what to wear daily.

A former Police official reminds us that text messaging on cell phones and instant messaging on computers should be monitored for your child’s safety. 

They use abbreviations and acronyms we may not be familiar with.  Here are just a few: 

• POS…parent over shoulder
• PAW … parents are watching
• KPC … keeping parents clueless
• A3 … anywhere, anytime, anyplace
• TPTB … the powers that be
• AITR … Adult in the room

You should have your computer in a family room where you can see what is going on.  They don’t need to have a computer in their room.  Be aware of what your children are doing!  For more information about internet and text messaging lingo, search the web for the phrase “texting lingo.”  Be aware of what your children are doing!! – They are your most precious gift!  

In the past week, the Ohio Valley has seen a huge increase in COVID cases. While none of this is easy for anyone, it’s critically important to keep each other safe. Please continue to practice social distancing & use great caution when enjoying your time off, including the 4th of July or vacation.

Here’s a few tips to Remember:

1.) State Law Requires a 6 Foot Social Distance or a Face Mask.
2.) Frequently Clean All High Touch Areas in your Home and Work Environment.
3.) Wash Your Hands Frequently for at Least 20 Seconds.

What if I’ve been around Someone Who Tests Positive for COVID?

State Law Requires the Following:

1.) If you test positive for COVID, even if you are showing no symptoms, you must quarantine. The Quarantine period is a minimum of 14 Days and until you test negative 2 different times, 24 Hours Apart.
2.) If you’ve been in close contact with someone for more than 10 minutes who tested positive, you must Quarantine for 14 days. However, you can avoid the Quarantine if you were wearing a mask or maintaining a 6 foot social distance.
3.) Even if the person wasn’t showing symptoms when you spent time with them, you must still quarantine if it was less than 48 hours before their symptoms began. However, you can avoid the Quarantine if you were wearing a mask or maintain a 6 foot social distance.

None of us want to get sick or be quarantined. However, you can avoid the Quarantine and Decrease the Risk of Contracting the Illness by wearing a mask or keeping at least 6 feet from others at all times.

Don’t Risk COVID! While many people have limited symptoms, you or your family members could be the one who gets very sick. Keep yourself & your family healthy by Wearing Masks when you cannot keep a 6 Foot Social Distance from Another Person.

Remember…Keep Your Hands & High Touch Areas Clean, Follow Social Distancing, and Wear a Mask when its Not Possible to Maintain 6 Foot Social Distancing.

Stay Healthy and Avoid the Dreaded Quarantine….We Hope Everyone Enjoys a Great Summer!