Sharing Isn't Caring: How to Keep Safe and Healthy When Living With Roommates

The number one strategy for avoiding the coronavirus is to avoid people, which translates to a lot of home time. However, for many of us, the danger is coming from inside the house. That’s right, we’re talking about roommates.

As anyone who has spent a semester in college will know, roommates cannot be trusted to take care of themselves, much less to keep you safe. Luckily, the People’s Daily has some fresh advice on how to take matters into your own hands when living with roommates. Check out their advice below.

Make sure that your roommates are not experiencing any symptoms

Check in regularly with your roommates to make sure that they don't have a fever, dry cough, or runny nose. If they experience such symptoms, advise that they visit a hospital to be tested.

Wear a mask in any shared areas

It may sound annoying, but when occupying shared spaces like the kitchen, balcony, and living room, it is advised that you wear a mask, especially if your roommate is also present in the communal area. You should also avoid direct contact with your roommate as much as possible, and keep a distance of at least one meter if you need to talk with them face to face (about the growing collection of unwashed Annie's crockery).

Open a window

Even in times of virus lockdowns, you still need oxygen. Luckily, there is no evidence that the novel coronavirus can travel with aerosols i.e. in Beijing's case, pollution. Open a window at least twice a day for 30 minutes at a time. Be sure to grab a blanket and stay warm. However, if you are opening a window in the shared space, be sure to keep the door to your room closed during that time so that any contaminants in the shared space aren't blown through.

Keep washing your clothes as usual

The virus should not be able to spread via your washing machine. If you have any worries, simply make sure that you set the water temperature between 60 and 90 degrees Celsius, and wash your hands after use.

Keep your private belongings to yourself

If possible, avoid lending out your belongings to your roommates, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after touching any shared items.

Sanitize public areas regularly

Make sure that everyone in the apartment thoroughly sanitizes their keys and phones with sanitary wipes or cotton dipped in alcohol after returning home so as to minimize contamination from outside. If you're out of hand sanitizer, we have a guide on how to make your own here.

Follow this bathroom guide

• Sanitize your bathroom daily with bleach and regular cleaning products.
• Make sure that everyone in your apartment closes the toilet lid when flushing so as to reduce the chance of fecal-oral transmission.
• If your plumbing can handle it, throw toilet paper directly into the toilet, not the trash can (careful does it...).
• Do not bring your phone into the bathroom.

Maintain good communication

Keep communication lines open with your roommates and keep them updated on news related to virus prevention. If anything, the virus gives you a good reason for a proper spring clean.

READ: Coronavirus Count: Beijing's Latest Contamination Figures, News, and Advice               

Images: Faith Mag, Giphy