COVID-19 Prevention & Treatment

Dispose Used Tissues Properly

Using a tissue when blowing a nose, wiping snot, covering a sneeze or cough, all seem pretty common sense.  And when one is sick with COVID-19, there is a big likelihood that there will be a lot of coughing, sneezing, and runny nose.  Unfortunately, the need for proper disposal of contaminated tissues does not seem to be as evident to some people.

When you use a tissue to wipe whatever is coming out of your mouth or nose, that tissue will be contaminated, it will carry your mouth or nose fluids, and whatever virus is contained in those fluids.  If you put that tissue inside the tissue roll (which some people do), or if you leave the tissue on a table, whatever virus is contained in the tissue will spread to the surface that the tissue is in contact with.  Whoever touches that surface will catch the virus on their hands.  When the now contaminated hand touches a face, the virus finds a new host, and the cycle of infection and transmission is replicated with that new host.

Once a tissue is used, it must be PROPERLY DISPOSED of immediately.  That means it must go into the proper trash bin, and that bin must be covered lest the tissue blows away if there is a gust of wind present.  Do not get into the habit of collecting used tissue inside the tissue roll or onto a table top for bulk disposal.  As soon as the tissue is used, throw it into the trash bin.  If there is no trash bin in your area, seal the tissue in a plastic bag and throw the tissue and the plastic bag it’s in into the trash bin as soon as you can.  With this in mind, if you absolutely have to be going around while you’re sneezing, coughing, and having a runny nose, bring a plastic bag along with your box or roll of tissues.  That way, even if you find yourself without a trash bin to throw your used tissues in, you’re ready with a plastic bag to seal the used tissue in.  Of course, if you are sick, it is best to not be going out and about and possibly spreading the virus to the people around you. Besides, if you are sick, that means your immune system is down and you are more likely to catch whatever viruses or bacteria are out there, making yourself sicker than you already are.

And remember, once you have touched and disposed of the used tissue, there is a likely possibility that you are carrying the virus on your hands.  That means your hands are likely to be contaminated, so you need to wash your hands right away.  Do not wait until later to wash or sanitize your hands.  Do it right away so you lessen the chances of touching your face or anything else with your hands still contaminated.