Coronavirus March Updates

As SARS-CoV-2, more commonly referred to as Coronavirus, but also now known as the virus responsible for causing COVID-19, continues to be an evolving situation, we want to be sure our Nichols customers are kept informed. The following information will keep you apprised of likely business impacts in our region and on our supply chain. Then as a recap, we’ll provide tools to keep you informed on the best preventative measures to keep you safe and your environments healthy. And then of course, we will link back to our January blog to remind you what products can claim efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 when used according to label directions with the longest viral kill time and also provide letters direct from our vendors.

Supply Chain:

Now that the news of the Coronavirus is more widespread we have seen and expect to continue to receive increasing questions and calls/orders on many of our disinfectants, cleaning products and of course masks. The reality is there is no one size fits all answer. Nichols proudly represents many of the leading global brands for disinfectants and sanitizers and each of these companies are handling the evolving situation a little differently.

Several of our vendors have placed distributors on allocation, or restricting purchase of products to historical quantities. Nichols will continue to order our normal usage rates for customers who buy these products on a routine basis, but we are not allowed to order higher than usual. Our priority remains maintaining the standard flow of products for our customers who count on us for their Clean and Healthy Facilities in their normal day-to-day operations. To ensure this, we need to keep all customers at their normal usage rates. Currently there is a worldwide shortage on masks. We and (all other distributors) are out of N95 and all other face masks. We will replenish supplies as soon as possible, but much of this product is manufactured in China and it is all on allocation.

Prevention:

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” ~ Ben Franklin

The new Coronavirus still has a few unknowns as far as transmission, but we do know it can be passed from person-to-person through direct contact and/or through airborne bodily fluids such as a cough or a sneeze. It can live on hard surfaces (though it is still unclear how long it lives on hard surfaces). For a complete and in-depth guide to prevention, we recommend this page from the CDC.

In summary, you can help prevent the spread of Coronavirus and most other common illnesses with these measures:

Stay home when you are sick.
Wash your hands OFTEN with soap, water and agitation or rubbing hands together for at least 20 seconds.
Use hand sanitizer if actual hand washing is not available such as on public transportation, but soap, water and agitation is more effective.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects routinely, perhaps as you start your day and return from lunch.
Do not touch your face, most especially your mouth or nose.

Products:

Our January blog will answer many questions and link to products that have claim efficacy claims against SARS-CoV-2 when used according to label directions with the longest viral kill time. That blog also provides links to letters direct from our vendors. As mentioned above, some but not all of these products may be on allocation. Please contact your Nichols sales representative for specific availability on products that you are not already routinely ordering