The Clean Boot Blog
During the COVID-19 Global pandemic, there have been many short comings with regards to the supply and distribution of essential PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for frontline workers and the general public. Supply Chains have seen dramatic shortages caused by misinformation, panic buying and stockpiling.
Essential PPE determined by the WHO (World Health Organization) is outlined as the following:
Rational Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Interim guidance 19 March 2020 World Health Organization
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331498/WHO-2019-nCoV-IPCPPE_use-2020.2-eng.pdf
- Medical Gowns
- Gloves
- Eye Protection (Face Shield or Goggles)
- Respirator N95 or FFP2 standard, or equivalent
The Coronavirus has the ability to live on surfaces for up to 5 days experts have discovered. This includes but is not limited to, shopping carts, door handles, cardboard boxes, plastic items etc.
Scientists and experts have now stated that shoes/ boots are hot spots for the spread of bacteria and germs.
“Infectious disease specialist Mary E. Schmidt warns that the coronavirus could survive on rubber, leather and PVC-based soles for five days or more.” https://drmaryeschmidt.com/
Although the risk is lower for foot contamination and spread to the facial area, if shoes/ boots are worn in high traffic areas (Grocery Stores, Transit, Malls, workplaces etc) the risk increases and has the potential to spread the virus.
However, whether you wear sneakers or work boots, it’s important to pay attention to the sole. The sole of shoes and boots are the breeding ground of more bacteria,and viruses than the upper part of a shoe.
The soles of shoes/ boots are typically made of non-porous materials, such as rubber, leather and PVC, and can carry high levels of bacteria, according to a study published by Charles Gerba, a microbiologist and professor at the University of Arizona.
So what is the solutions for footwear PPE?
Most of the PPE being used by the general public and frontline health care workers is disposable. Contributing heavily to our landfills, rivers lakes and oceans. Paper and Plastic disposable PPE is great for minimizing the spread of infections viruses and diseases. But not great for the environment or the pocketbook.
But is there another way?
Already manufactures and consumers that own 3D printers have developed reusable face shields and N95 Respirator Masks, to give frontline workers and the general public an alternative to the disposable versions that are in short supply and high demand. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/military-3d-printing-face-shields-reusable-n95-masks/story?id=70001755
What does this look like for footwear?
Currently, the use of paper and plastic disposable booties is pervasive in the healthcare industry, general public and contracting. But there has to be a better option. A product that can be washed to kill the COVID-19 virus. A product that is reusable that doesn’t contribute to single use plastic entering our rivers, lakes and oceans. Lastly, it needs to be more economical for the end-user, rather than continually spending money on disposable products.
The answer to all these requirements is The Original CleanBoot®. A Washable, Reusable, 100% Neoprene overshoe with a rippled sole for extra grip on finished flooring!!
The Original CleanBoot® can be worn everyday with a life span of approximately 3-6 months, daily use.
So for frontline workers that are concerned about bringing COVID-19 home on the soles of their shoes/ boots, The Original CleanBoot® can be worn in the car, taken into the home and washed frequently to minimize the risk and exposure to family and loved ones.
For contractors and homeowners, The Original CleanBoot® is a great solution to, “Keep the outside out, and the inside clean.” Minimizing the chances of bringing the Coronavirus into a home on the sole of their shoes/ boots.
So, when Health Care & Government officials eventually announce the expansion of Essential PPE to include footwear protection, remember The Original CleanBoot® is an alternative that can avoid the shortages that will be experienced in the disposable bootie market and provide an excellent alternative to protect you, the environment and your budget.
The Original CleanBoot® can be purchased online in Canada, US, Australia, UK and Europe.
Or contact us at admin@thecleanboot.com to see if there is a local distributor.
Our neoprene shoe covers and boot covers have typically been marketed to contractors to wear as safety boot covers.
At the CleanBoot, we also get requests for the use of our neoprene shoe covers that we have never anticipated. We have learned that the reasons our neoprene boot covers are great for contractors, are the same reasons they work well for people in other less ‘conventional’ markets.
A prime example of a request for the CleanBoot acting as a shoe cover to help someone in a less conventional market was sent to me in an email yesterday.
A lady contacted me to talk to me about her husband who currently has a prosthetic leg. She was looking for a shoe cover for her husband to wear in sloppy weather so that he would not have to take off his prosthetic shoe when entering a home or building.
The CleanBoot’s neoprene shoe cover easily slips over top of any boot or shoe. The non-slip grip on this neoprene shoe cover also increases the safety of those wearing it.
The gentleman who wanted to try out the CleanBoot was also eager to bring our neoprene shoe covers into his clinic, where they currently sell many shoes and boots for prosthetics. His aim is to show this clinic (the largest in his area) that the CleanBoot’s neoprene shoe covers can help other people with prosthetics in the same way that they are helpful to him.
What a cool application for the CleanBoot!
We are always interested in unconventional uses for this practical product- keep us posted!
