Car Care

5 Ways To Keep Your Car COVID-19 Free

5 Ways To Keep Your Car COVID-19 Free

The COVID-19 virus has become a prominent part of our lives today. With the global lock down and quarantines in effect, the awareness of this threat has become heightened like nothing we have experienced in recent history.  An image of the COVID-19 virus molecule

With so many different theories and changing information related to COVID-19, confusion about what the virus is and how to protect yourself from it has spread at a rate far faster than the virus itself. The threat of the spread has brought forth the demand for knowledge of how to fight off this invisible scourge. 

Luckily, this is not the first time we have dealt with viruses that are transmitted in the same fashion as COVID-19. While this virus is not unlike viruses we have seen before, COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in a way that is stealthier than we have experienced in the past. Traveling in the public is necessary for those that need to travel to work and to purchase food, and the spread from asymptomatic people has caused much alarm.

When you travel to and from your home, you may naturally become exposed to a virus. If you are exposed, there are ways to placate and stave off infection. The traditional ways to keep the flu and the cold at bay, seem to be effective against the COVID-19 virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have released general guidelines for staying healthy during this pandemic scare. 

What is COVID-19?

In order to better understand COVID-19, you will need to learn exactly what COVID-19 is and how it spreads. You may remember when the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak invaded China in 2003. SARS emerged from the bat caves of China and spread to 70 countries around the globe. SARS is clinically referred to as CoV-2 and is also a novel coronavirus. The MERS, and now the COVID-19 viruses, are relatives of SARS. CO equals corona, VI equals virus and the D is for disease. The “19” is a reference to the year when the virus was first discovered, 2019.

Coronaviruses are a rather large family of viruses that were originally seen in bats in mainland China. Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli of the Wuhan Institute of Virology spent 16 years researching coronaviruses in the Chinese bat population. 

The new strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) is more prolific because it is showing to be asymptomatic—having little or no symptoms—in a majority of cases. The virus has spread so rapidly because there are people that have little or no symptoms that are actually infectious to others. With most viruses like the cold, flu, or other coronaviruses, when a person is infected, they become physically ill and tend to stay out of the public to recover. 

The widely asymptomatic nature of COVID-19 is largely to blame for its spread and the reason that the lockdown has been enacted. This is also the reason to be vigilant against the spread of the virus. Use the following methods to keep your car free of COVID-19. 

  1. Keep hand sanitizer handy.A bottle of antibacterial hand sanitizer

Hand sanitizer with an alcohol base that is 70% pure is known to kill the COVID-19 on contact. If you cannot keep hand sanitizer on your person, keep sanitizer in your vehicle and use it when you enter your vehicle and before you touch your steering wheel. Washing your hands for 20 seconds is the CDC recommendation for eliminating the spread of the virus. 

  1. Disinfect your interior. 

The surfaces in the interior of your vehicle can carry the virus and allow it to spread to those that make contact with it. The virus spreads after touching infected surfaces and then touching the nose, eyes, or mouth. A study published by The New England Journal of Medicine shows that COVID-19 can last on plastic and steel surfaces for up to 72 hours. Disinfect the entire interior of your vehicle with bleach wipes or disinfectant spray to kill traces of the virus. 

  1. Wash your car frequently. Hand washing your car with lots of soap

Just as the interior of your car needs to be disinfected from the virus, the exterior of your vehicle needs to be cleaned regularly to keep it free from coronavirus. You can never be sure if your car has been touched by someone that is infected; so, stay safe by frequently washing your car. Since hard surfaces hold the virus longer, a good washing will help to ward off COVID-19. 

  1. Wear protective gear.

Covering your face and hands is the best way to keep the illness from creeping into your body while out in public. Using CDC approved masks, and disposable latex gloves Personal protective gear such as gloves and a maskare the recommended way to protect yourself during the spread of the pandemic.

  1. Set protocols for passengers.

If you are traveling in your vehicle with your family or friends, make sure they are cognizant of the precautions you are taking to stay safe. Inform them of the protocols that you have implemented and urge them to sanitize and protect themselves while in your car. 

Conclusion

We are not exactly sure what the future will hold, but we as a people are stronger than the COVID-19 virus. Just as we have seen versions of the coronavirus in the past, we will rise above COVID-19. Disinfect your vehicle and sanitize your hands before you enter the vehicle. If you feel that you are compromised and feel you need an extra level of protection, find the proper mask and gloves to help keep the virus from entering your system.

CarCostCanada

Porsche sales plunge yet still donating time and money to fight COVID-19

Porsche Chairman of the Executive Board, Oliver Blume
“Porsche already supports a large number of charitable initiatives and we are significantly extending this commitment during the coronavirus crisis,” stated Porsche Chairman of the Executive Board, Oliver Blume.

Porsche Canada’s year-over-year sales plummeted by 42 percent in March, not unlike many other automakers experiencing what we’re all going through right now, voluntary self-quarantine due to COVID-19, and the sinking sales story isn’t much different elsewhere in the world, but this hasn’t stopped the automaker from being generous.

The luxury brand donated five million euros to “people in need as a result of the virus” and also spent 200,000 euros on food donations to charitable groups.

“Porsche already supports a large number of charitable initiatives and we are significantly extending this commitment during the coronavirus crisis,” stated Porsche Chairman of the Executive Board, Oliver Blume. “There are people who urgently need help and we are concentrating on providing humanitarian aid. We can overcome the pandemic only if we work together and show solidarity.”

What’s more, Porsche has been putting its specialist staff to work fighting COVID-19 too, including its medically experienced personnel and IT experts, while the Stuttgart-based automaker is also supporting its Porsche employees that want to volunteer their services.

Porsche Chairman of the Executive Board, Oliver Blume
“We are supporting the food banks at our locations this year with 200,000 euros,” added Blume.

Additionally, Porsche is assisting with technical materials and supplies, such as procuring personal protective equipment (PPE), plus it’s also deploying vehicles and providing logistics operations in the event of supply bottlenecks and transport needs. The brand is using its media presence to assist in important messaging too, while Porsche is also donating and granting funds to numerous organizations requiring support due to COVID-19 outbreak.

“We are supporting the food banks at our locations this year with 200,000 euros,” added Blume. “In addition, we have made an offer to certain charitable organizations to provide vehicles with drivers, perhaps where there is a bottleneck in the transport of relief supplies or people. We have also increased donations from Porsche AG by five million euros. This amount will be used to support local organizations and people who are in need as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Our employees also help personally and voluntarily with the charitable organizations at our locations.”

Thanks to Porsche’s ability to develop auto parts and produce them in house when needed, which is the case for all large automakers, Porsche is considering the deployment of its 3D printers to produce critical medical products.

Porsche Chairman of the Executive Board, Oliver Blume
“We are assessing the situation as it presents itself,” said Blume. “The most important thing for us is that the supply chains can be rebuilt as soon as possible.”

“We are currently clarifying with the state government which components are required,” continued Blume. “They range from protective goggles to respiratory masks. For highly specialized medical products, you have to comply with the legal requirements and certifications. Here, the lead must lie with the medical technology specialists, who could then delegate orders to the automotive industry. Our 3D printers are available in any case. As a first step, we have already forwarded protective clothing from our stocks to the state government. And together with our parent company, Volkswagen, we are participating in the procurement of further equipment on a large scale, especially from China. We must also ensure that we look beyond the medical sector and recognize where our help is needed.”

It would be one thing to offer such assistance during the good times, but like many other automakers, Porsche is showing this generosity after halting production on March 21st for an initial period of two weeks.

“We are assessing the situation as it presents itself,” said Blume. “The most important thing for us is that the supply chains can be rebuilt as soon as possible. We are less dependent on China than we are on our European neighbours. In this respect, I hope that we as a society will manage to contain the coronavirus and that we will then receive a signal at European level as to when we can all restart production.”

Story credits: Trevor Hofmann

Photo credits: Porsche

CarCostCanada

COVID-19 BUSINESS STATUS

COVID-19 BUSINESS STATUS

We Are Still Open & Online!

The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed how we live our daily lives.  CarCostCanada cares about and promotes the safety of all Canadians, especially during these uncertain times.

For everyone’s health and well-being and to help flatten the curve, our national and regional offices are currently closed.  But our knowledgeable and friendly staff are still online and ready to help!

We can always be reached using Live Chat (throughout our site), phone or email.

Our Canada Wide Recommended Dealer Network also stands prepared and motivated to work with our members.

Remote sales, including online signatures, home delivery and creative service and repair offers (in some cases), are becoming more common. Sanitizing vehicles and reducing tedious (and possibly dangerous) in-person dealership visits are a new priority.

Our new mobile app is available right now; find the latest version of the CarCostCanada app for iPhone® on the App Store™ and for Android™ on Google Play.

CarCostCanada members save money on new cars and light trucks every day. We will always provide a service that is Better than Free®

CarCostCanada

STATUT DE L’ENTREPRISE COVID-19

STATUT DE L'ENTREPRISE COVID-19

Nous sommes toujours ouverts et en ligne !

Le nouveau coronavirus (COVID-19) a changé notre façon de vivre au quotidien.  CarCostCanada se préoccupe de la sécurité de tous les Canadiens et en fait la promotion, surtout en ces temps incertains.

Pour la santé et le bien-être de tous et pour contribuer à aplatir la courbe, nos bureaux nationaux et régionaux sont actuellement fermés. Mais notre personnel bien informé et amical est toujours en ligne et prêt à vous aider !

Vous pouvez toujours communiquer avec nous par chat en direct (sur l’ensemble de notre site), par téléphone ou par courriel.

Notre réseau canadien de concessionnaires recommandés est également prêt et motivé à travailler avec nos membres.

Les ventes à distance, y compris les signatures en ligne, la livraison à domicile, les offres d’entretien et de réparation créatives (dans certains cas), sont de plus en plus fréquentes. L’assainissement des véhicules et la réduction des visites fastidieuses (et peut-être dangereuses) chez les concessionnaires sont une nouvelle priorité.

Notre nouvelle application mobile est maintenant disponible ; accédez à la dernière version de l’application CarCostCanada pour iPhone® sur l’App Store™ et pour Android™ sur Google Play.

Les membres de CarCostCanada économisent chaque jour de l’argent sur les nouvelles voitures et les camions légers. Nous fournirons toujours un service qui est Mieux que Gratuit®