Coronavirus Information and Resources

We’ve all heard the news reports about the novel (new) coronavirus.

But what are the facts?  To help you get beyond the headlines we have compiled a list of useful resources, from credible organizations, to help you make the most informed decisions.

• What is the novel coronavirus?
• How does it spread?
• What are the symptoms?
• Seventh Generation Disinfectants and the EPA’s Recommended List?
• Coronavirus Resources
• Cleaning and Surface Disinfection
• Hand Hygiene with Non-Antimicrobial Soap

What is the novel coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses named for the crown-like spikes on their surface.  Several can infect people.  Coronaviruses cause illness ranging from milder respiratory infections, such as the common cold, to rarer more severe respiratory diseases, like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-Cov). 

In January 2020, after an outbreak in China in December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified a new type of coronavirus, initially referred to as 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which can have more severe consequences.  Since then, the virus has been officially named SARS-CoV-2, and the WHO named the disease it causes COVID-19.

How does it spread?

According to the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• These droplets can land in your mouth or nose or can possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

The CDC believes it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or possibly your eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

What are the symptoms?

According to the CDC, reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed COVID-19 cases, with symptoms including:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (this is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses.  The CDC advises that if you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, you should take steps to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community. If you develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, to call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

The EPA’s List of Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (cause of COVID-19): Updated Thursday, March 26th, 2020

Seventh Generation Disinfecting Cleaners, Wipes and Sprays with CleanWell® INSIDE are EPA registered broad spectrum disinfectants which have demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to the 2019 novel coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, on hard, nonporous surfaces. See below.

In accordance with the U.S. EPA List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2, the following Seventh Generation disinfecting products can be used against SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, following the use directions on the product label.

Seventh Generation Disinfectants

Note, when referring to the list published by the EPA you will not see Seventh Generation’s brand name. As the EPA indicates on their site, the products they list may be marketed and sold under different brand names, but if they have the same EPA registration number, they are in essence the same product. Through a long and close partnership with CleanWell®, Seventh Generation Disinfecting Cleaners, Wipes and Sprays utilize the active ingredient Thymol, which is the active ingredient in CleanWell® proprietary formulations. CleanWell® is now included on the EPA list. Therefore, our products are EPA registered broad spectrum disinfectants which have demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to the 2019 novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, on hard, nonporous surfaces.

You can navigate the EPA’s list by searching for: Thymol, and the first part of the EPA Registration Number(s) listed above. Seventh Generation disinfecting products with CleanWell® INSIDE received confirmation from EPA on March 26, 2020 that they meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2. See the EPA list here.

Coronavirus Resources

• US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
• World Health Organization Coronavirus
• U.S. EPA Coronavirus
• U.S. EPA Emerging Viral Pathogen Guidance for Disinfectants
• U.S. EPA List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2

Cleaning and Surface Disinfection

• EPA Activates Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance
• Cleaning for Health 101
• Green Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting, a Curriculum for Early Care and Education

Hand Hygiene with Non-Antimicrobial Soap

• CDC – Handwashing - Keeping Hands Clean
• CDC – Handwashing - Show me the Science
• CDC – Handwashing – Clean Hands Saves Lives
• Scrub Club