I think I can speak for most of us when I say, “We would all like to put 2020 behind us.” We’ve never seen anything like this before, nor do we ever want to experience anything like it again. Covid-19 has impacted almost every area of life, and that includes our plumbing systems and the plumbing industry. We saw firsthand how panic set in, and rightly so; we all want to protect our families. None of us ever faced the possibility of not having a regular food and water supply. All our grocery stores ran out of bottled water, canned food, boxed food, and toilet paper. It was crazy. I saw toilet paper selling on the app Offerup for five times the regular store cost. Although things have settled down quite a bit, I think most of us still have questions.
Is Our Drinking Water Safe From Covid-19?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) insists that tap water is safe to drink. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the “Covid-19 virus has never been detected in our tap water, and the risk of it ever entering our water supplies is very low.” The Center for Disease Control (CDC) said, “Covid-19 is thought to spread between people who are in close contact with one another.” Additionally, according to EPA regulations, drinking water treatment must include the removal of viruses and kill pathogens. They also stated that citizens should continue to use tap water as usual and that there is no indication that the Covid-19 virus is in our water supply.
Will Plumbing Industry Continue To Provide Services?
Yes, the plumbing industry as a whole is considered an essential service. They will continue to meet the public need for plumbing services during Covid-19 and they are required to meet certain criteria. To carry out the duties of a plumbing technician, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) issued guidelines to prevent Coronavirus exposure.
At Big B’s Plumbing, we’ve implemented individual control measures:
- Employees that do not feel well or are running a fever must consult with their doctor before returning to work.
- Our dispatcher’s and plumbing technicians regularly wash their hands and use hand sanitizer before entering a home.
- Out of respect for our customers, safety, and our technician’s well-being, they are asked to refrain from shaking hands.
- Protective masks, shoe covers, and protective gloves are worn inside your home.
- All our technicians practice safe distancing from anyone in the house.
- We use disinfectant wipes used on door handles, truck steering wheels, tools, and on surfaces inside the home when we complete the work.
- Our dispatch center will verbally screen every customer before scheduling their job.
- Personal protection equipment used when warranted.
Has There Been An Increase In Demand For Bidets?
Yes, bidets were flying off the shelves. Unfortunately, it had to take something like Covid-19 to understand bidets better, especially if you use towelettes and not toilet paper to dry off. You’re not wiping off any excess poop, you’re drying off. Using a bidet is much more sanitary than using toilet paper, and it’s better for the environment. Bidets take time to learn how to use, but if the average person installed and used a bidet for ten days, they would never go back to toilet paper. The plumbing industry has put their stamp of approval on bidets.
Americans Are Crazy For Toilet Paper
Who would have ever thought that toilet paper would be flying off our grocery store shelves during the pandemic and becoming scarce? The fact is, most Americans are crazy about toilet paper. We’re 4% of the world’s population, but we use 20% of the world’s toilet paper. Companies like Charmin and Angel Soft use virgin pulp, which is the key ingredient in toilet paper. It derives from the Canadian boreal forest. Give Costco props because they now use recycled paper for their Kirkland Signature brand toilet paper.
