Do you need to wear a mask and disinfect farm machinery and tools when doing farm work during the pandemic?

It is now the official time for spring plowing, and in rural areas there are many farming activities that need to be done now, but affected by the novel coronavirus pneumonia, everyone has to wear a mask when going out. Do you need to wear a mask when doing farm work in rural areas? Do farm machinery and tools need to be disinfected?

1. Do you need to wear a mask when doing farm work in rural areas?

If you are only going to an open area, or working alone in the fields, these places are generally relatively open with good air circulation, so there is no need to wear a mask in this situation. If you are in an enclosed greenhouse, a monitoring room, or a place with many people, then you need to wear a mask. If conditions permit, bring an extra mask when going out.

When coughing or sneezing, do not face other people. You can use a handkerchief, clothing, or tissue to cover your mouth. When spitting, wrap it in a tissue and throw it in a trash can. Do not litter used masks.

Strengthen the management of livestock and poultry breeding, clean up livestock and poultry manure in a timely manner, and carry out preventive disinfection when necessary.

Farm machinery and tools, buttons, mice, steering wheels, remote controls, etc. used by multiple people together need to be disinfected regularly. It is best to wear gloves when using them, and remember to wash your hands after use.

Pay attention to environmental hygiene, consciously clean up in front of and behind the house and inside and outside the house, keep it clean and tidy, and reduce the breeding of bacteria.

2. Other precautions

1. The novel coronavirus mainly spreads through droplets. When a patient coughs, sneezes, or talks, droplets are produced. When not affected by wind, the possibility of them being sprayed beyond 2 meters is relatively small. Therefore, it is safer to keep a distance of 1-2 meters or even more than 2 meters from other people as much as possible.

2. The novel coronavirus is not resistant to alcohol or high temperatures. We can directly spray with 75° medical alcohol or diluted 84 disinfectant; it can also be disinfected with high temperature above 56°C for 30 minutes; or directly steamed or boiled in boiling water for 15 minutes.

3. A mask is standard when going out. Even if you go to an open place, you should keep one in your pocket just in case. If conditions permit, you can bring 2 more: one is for convenient replacement for yourself; the other is that if you encounter a sudden infected person, you can also help others.

4. Many people wash their hands carelessly, resulting in many viruses and bacteria remaining. The correct way to wash hands is to rub and wash the palms, backs of hands, and between the fingers with soap or hand sanitizer, and the whole process should last at least 20 seconds.

During the pandemic, I hope everyone can wash their hands frequently, wear masks, ventilate more, reduce visiting relatives and friends and gatherings, and reduce going to crowded public places.