COVID-19

Scientific & Technical References

11/24: Mayo Clinic study shows critical benefits of masks and social distancing. Study is great news for back of house in tight quarters- if you’re all masked up (cover mouth AND nose) your risk is low. See chart showing percent risk based on masked and distance.

07/06: Silent spread of virus estimated to account for 50% of cases. LINK to Yale Study

04/15: People are most contagious right before, and at very start of symptoms. LINK to publication

Active virus persists longer on plastic than paper. Killed by heat. LINK to publication

When can an employee that has recovered return to work? CDC guidance for health care workers has most detail. Bottom line: 3 days free of fever with no fever-reducing medicine, AND 7 days from onset of symptoms.

Incubation periods vary. Median period is five days.- longest approx 14 days. So, a stealth virus, as people are contagious without symptoms.

German study says you are likely MOST contagious early, when no symptoms or early in their onset.

Quats IS an effective sanitizer for COVID-19. EPA List

Study indicates virus can survive on inanimate surfaces for up to 9 days.

Sister SARS is killed with heat (56C/133F), acid (pH<3), alkaline (pH>12)

Commissioner Arwady Twitter stream 3/22/20 says food is not a significant point of risk. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, meaning it has to make its way into your lungs. Eating food that might be contaminated goes into your stomach, does not make its way to your lungs. #askdrarwady on Twitter

COVID-19 “sheds” in feces of recovered people for some time. Bathroom and hand sanitation is paramount.

FDA conference call 3/19/20 says sick employees could return to work after being symptom free for 3 DAYS.

FDA conference call 3/19/20 when asked if it’s legal to take employees’ temperature upon arrival for work, response was: for private businesses, consult their own counsel. LSK POV: I would ask for employee consent to take temperatures.

We have NO GUIDANCE on safe distancing for kitchen staff — who are typically in very close quarters. Please share your practices with zina@logansquarekitchen.com; I’ll be working on SOP’s to share with industry in the coming days.