COVID-19: Second Wave Predictions

December 28, 2020

With vaccines for COVID-19 arriving, people are starting to get excited. In contrast, people can't turn on the news without reading about the second wave of COVID-19 and the numbers continuing to rise across the nation as they feel worried each day. In many states, hospitals are once again filling up, and local governments are mandating mask usage and early closing times for some businesses. Colder weather and people in closer contact indoors, holiday travel and visiting, and much of the public letting their guard down with a false sense of security have contributed to continued rising cases. A Johns Hopkins article, entitled "First and Second Waves of Coronavirus", indicates that human behavior and varying restrictions affect the spread of the virus as well.


Many people wonder why the initial lockdowns didn't work, but the truth is, they did work. It's when restrictions and mandates began to relax, much of the public went back to business as usual, ignoring the behaviors that were necessary for a continued drop in cases. As the colder seasons approached, along with holiday travel, the numbers have risen again. It wasn't a surprise to the experts who predicted the second wave.

While the vaccines cause excitement, getting them could actually contribute to increasing numbers of COVID-19. A "USA Today Poll" indicates that "Two-thirds of U.S. voters say they won't try to get a coronavirus vaccine as soon as it becomes available, and one in four say they don't want to ever get it." This isn't the only poll showing Americans distrust a vaccine they feel may have been rushed. In any case, a COVID-19 vaccine can be compared to a flu vaccine. We have a vaccine for the flu and people still get it.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that "influenza has resulted in between 9 million to 45 million illnesses, 140,000 to 810,000 hospitalizations, and between 12,000 to 61,000 deaths annually since 2010." These numbers come in spite of the availability of a vaccine. This is further evidence to recognize everyone must continue to play their part is proactively cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting appropriately to limit the ongoing effects of the pandemic.


The CDC, in addition to recommending social distancing at the height of the first wave of the pandemic, has always emphasized a consistent and sustained sanitizing and disinfecting routine that includes sanitizing and disinfecting all of the major touchpoints (light switches, sink and toilet handles, shared equipment, etc.) as well as all of the surfaces that people come into contact with.

These guidelines have not changed and are recommended to help reduce the threat of germs and bacteria. The CDC's "Reopening America Guidelines" states, "Reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by cleaning and disinfection is an important part of reopening public spaces that will require careful planning."

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends avoiding chemical-based sanitizing and disinfecting products, especially in schools and anywhere children are present. An EPA guide entitled Green Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting: A Curriculum for Early Care and Education indicates that "5% of childhood cancer and 30% of childhood asthma are related to chemical exposures." Much of this can be traced back to the harmful commercial-grade products used by janitorial staff in schools.

Germinator can help you give your customers and employees peace of mind and help you reduce the threat of germs and bacteria. We do it without using toxic chemicals because our HOCl sanitizing and disinfecting solution contains no harmful chemicals, fumes or residues.

Germinator's Patent-Pending Process

Step 1 – Test Surfaces:
We first test your surfaces for ATP using a luminometer to detect light that can come from cellular activity. This measurement immediately tells us the level of cleanliness on your surfaces.

Step 2 – Application of Genesis Surface Treatment:
Genesis is a one-step cleaner and broad-spectrum sanitizer and disinfectant treatment that harnesses the power of a HOCl (hypochlorous acid) solution. Derived from naturally occurring minerals, Genesis not only eliminates odors at their source but kills a wide range of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Salmonella enterica, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and viruses including norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus on hard, non-porous, environmental surfaces. It meets the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) germicidal spray standards for Hospital Grade Disinfection and is on the EPA N List of products determined to meet the criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. As a result, this treatment will eliminate bacteria and viruses that may reside in your environment without the use of harsh chemicals or fumes.

Step 3 – Application of Bacteriostatic Finish:
The Shield is a water-based quaternary ammonium compound that imparts a durable bacteriostatic finish to a wide range of non-food contact surfaces. It is EPA-registered as effective against the growth of mold, mildew, algae, and odor-causing bacteria. This application creates an invisible barrier that combats deterioration and discoloration and promotes freshness for up to three months. The Genesis and Shield products are applied by using an electrostatic sprayer, which is the most efficient and effective means of delivering the products to the intended application sites.

Step 4 – Retest Surfaces:
After our surface treatment and protectant services, we retest to ensure the surfaces have achieved the intended results.

Upholding the highest standards of sanitization and disinfecting, Germinator only makes claims that are scientifically supported and within EPA regulations. To research and further validate its practice of sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces, the company recently created the Germinator Scientific Board. The board is made up of key leaders such as Dr. Roscoe M. Moore, Jr. — who was an Assistant to the United States Surgeon General for five administrations.

"During these unprecedented times, the need to focus on sterilizing agents within our country's airports, public spaces, and offices to decrease the spread of viral pathogens such as Coronavirus is essential," states Dr. Moore. "I am extremely happy to be a part of the Germinator team and lend my expertise in public health and regulatory affairs to what I feel is an immense asset to the containment effort."


At Germinator, we are proud to be a part of the fight against the threat that comes from germs and bacteria. We've all seen what a pandemic can do to the way we live. It's important to do everything we can to help combat a second wave of COVID-19 by practicing safety measures and not neglecting to clean, sanitize, and disinfect the places where we live, work, and play. The coming vaccines are a bright spot in what has been a challenging year, but they don't replace the need to clean and sanitize according to CDC guidelines for maintaining our surroundings. If we continue to practice sanitizing and disinfecting guidelines and responsible hygiene, we can work towards resuming daily life as we once knew it.

To ask us any questions or to locate a Germinator in your area, call us at 855-NO-GERMZ (664-3769). We look forward to helping you bring peace of mind to your employees and your customers.