One of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic has been the emergence of a new slew of health and safety innovations. People and companies have come up with in-demand inventive ways to stay safe post-coronavirus lockdown. Here are some of these gadgets — ranging from nifty to high-tech.
1. ”Immutouch” Vibrating Bracelet
The Problem: Touching your face.
The Invention: This smartband vibrates every time you touch your face.
Cost: $50
2. BART Personal Hand Straps
The Problem: Holding onto high-touch, potentially contaminated surfaces.
The Invention: A strap to eliminate transmission points. This strap provides the rider with something to hang onto during the BART ride which can be taken home to clean after each trip.
Cost: Initial free giveaway, but available for purchase for $5+ tax.
BART offers personal hand straps for riders to use and take home for cleaning after each trip. The hand straps are available for purchase for $5 plus tax by phone order by calling 510-464-7136, in person at the Customer Service window at Lake Merritt Station (Monday-Friday 7:30 am–4:45pm) and through a soon-to-be-launched online store.
3. Hot Logic® Lunchbox (Portable Personal Mini Oven)
The Problem: The desire for a hot lunch, but the elimination of a shared office microwave.
The Invention: A lunchbox that doubles as an oven.
Cost: $50 (on sale for $40 now)
- Heats to 165°F.
- With an adapter, you can plug into car lighter also. Also available, a steering wheel tray.
- Casserole size also.
- Great for office, job sites, travel, camping, dorm.
4. UV Sanitizer for Phone
The Problem: The cell phone is 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat.
The Invention: A sanitizing box that showers a cell phone with disinfecting UV-C light.
Cost: $120
UV-C sanitizers now come in all shapes and sizes. WARNING:
One of the most contaminated objects are cell phones. Research from the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health determined that the average cell phone is exponentially dirtier than a standard toilet seat, by a factor of 10, in fact. As a result, these devices exist as a petri dish of unsavory microbes and that’s certainly less than ideal during a modern plague. Fortunately, there are a few workarounds far more convenient than personally sanitizing these devices multiple times a day.
Around the globe, public health officials have UV-C lights to combat the coronavirus on public transit systems, hospitals, and elsewhere. The CASETiFY UV Sanitizer functions on a smaller scale by showering the cell phone in disinfecting UV-C light in between uses. For added utility, the overall compartment is also large enough to disinfect other commonly handled items such as keys, wallets, and sunglasses.
5. Door Opener Tool
The Problem: Touching high-touch dirty, contaminated surfaces, such as public doors, store checkouts, shared buttons, touchscreens.
The Solution: A metal, easy-to-carry hook to keep hands clean. Retractable caribiner.
Karen’s Fit Tip: Nothing substitutes for keeping your hands clean. Continue to wash them thoroughly and frequently with soap and water. Keep your hands away from your face.
