veniently, in products designed for use in the flower shop — including FloraLife D.C.D., which appears on the EPA’s list of products recom- mended for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus. With any disinfectant, it’s important
not to simply spray or wipe the product on and immediately wipe it off again. All disinfectants require a contact period, known as the “dwell time,” to kill germs, usually ranging from four to 10 minutes (check the label on the product you are using).
When and Where Where to disinfect, and how often? Try walking through the shop twice, sug- gests LaFever — once entering through the back door, once through the front — and take notice of all the high-touch surfaces, from the perspective of an em- ployee or a customer. Doorknobs, push plates, handrails, worktables and sales counters all need to be disinfected at the beginning of the day and at least twice during the day, depending on how many different people are likely to touch them. “We come in at seven in the morn-
ing and clean everything down,” said Norwood, “and then we do it again at noon and at midafternoon too, depend- ing on how much traffic is going in and out.” They mix D.C.D. according to directions, two ounces per gallon, then spray it from mister bottles, going back to wipe it off after an appropriate time. “We also have hand sanitizer by the
front door,” he continued. “We sanitize every time we go in and out the door to drop off for curbside pickup. We wipe down the containers of all the arrange- ments that people pick up, and we let them know that.” Note, there are no known cases of
coronavirus transmission to humans via contact with flowers or plants. Hard sur- faces, however, such as a glass or plastic vase, represent a hazard and need to be sprayed or wiped. This should be done by anyone restocking shelves as well as prior to design and delivery. If you prefer wiping to spraying,
you can make your own wipes by using D.C.D. (appropriately diluted) to soak
SIMPLE AND STRONG Frequent hand washing remains the most important and effective strategy against the novel coronavirus.
squares of absorbent fabric, ideally lightweight and nonwoven. Don’t forget the cooler. It should
be cleaned and disinfected daily — for the sake of the flowers as well as of the people going in and out. At Tipton & Hurst, the walk-in display cooler (also used by designers) has a door with an electric eye so it opens automatically, without touching — a feature that was put in to help draw customers in, but now serves a dual purpose.
On the Road Delivery is the last step in the journey through your own flower operation. Today it is more important than ever that customers know they can trust the safety of your delivery operation. Drivers must, of course, wash
their hands before and after loading a delivery vehicle. High-touch parts of the vehicle itself, like door han- dles and steering wheels, need to be sprayed down with D.C.D. several times a day, suggests LaFever: “Then let it dry and get that protective coat- ing on there.” Delivery systems (what- ever you use to protect vases and hold them upright) should also be sprayed at least twice a day. The actual frequency will depend on
the volume of deliveries and how they are made. Drivers should be equipped
with gloves and should keep a spray bottle filled with disinfectant inside the van, along with paper towels, so they can respray the vase and wipe it down before making a delivery. That’s how Tipton & Hurst was able
to supply clients with multiple arrange- ments for Easter celebrations in the home. “We would go into their garage, wipe everything down with social dis- tancing, and then leave it for them to take into the house, so they knew the product was clean,” Norwood said.
Looking Ahead “We need more signs in flower shops, like you see in restaurants, reminding employ- ees to wash their hands,” said LaFever. Maybe florists can install dispensers of sanitizing wipes, such as many grocery stores provide near the front door. It’s going to be worthwhile making
this kind of investment for the long term, she suggested — along with cultivating new habits of cleanliness and steady sanitation. No matter what happens with the economy and the regulations governing it, the need for such measures is likely to remain constant for a long, long time.
Bruce Wright is a contributing writer for the Society of American Florists.
bwright@safnow.org
The magazine of the Society of American Florists (SAF) 45
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