As coronavirus worries grow, this Beaufort Co. man is sanitizing playgrounds for free
Troy Morson is spending his Saturday crisscrossing Beaufort County donating his services as an exterior cleaner to sanitize children’s play equipment, topping off a week that saw events canceled and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declare a state of emergency in response to the spread of the coronavirus.
“I’m driving to a playground right now,” Morson said as he answered the phone.
After posting an open offer in a community Facebook group for Bluffton and Hilton Head Island residents with over 21,000 members on Friday afternoon, Morson said he’s received almost 15 calls from parents and local businesses. He has already cleaned several playgrounds in Bluffton, working after hours and for free.
“Kids are generally pretty nasty creatures,” he said. “They put their hands in a lot of stuff.”
A study found coronaviruses remained on metal, glass and plastic from two hours to nine days. While children with confirmed COVID-19 cases have generally had mild symptoms according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they are still able to spread the virus.
To clean and sanitize play equipment, Morson is using a bleach solution, neutralizer and UV protectant.
On Saturday afternoon, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced three people had tested positive for the coronavirus, the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette reported.
Local schools have remained open, and officials say they’re basing any scheduling decisions on state guidance.
“It was just something I felt I could do to help out the community and curb any viruses,” Morson said. He has lived in Beaufort County since he was a child.
In just under 24 hours, his Facebook post garnered almost 850 likes and over a 100 comments, most thanking Morson for his service to the community.
Morson is coordinating with homeowners associations and day care centers to make sure he has approval before coming to clean. He says he isn’t overly concerned about his own health. But, he does have a four-month-old child to be worried about.
“I’m a one man show, and I wear a lot of hats,” he said.
Note: This story has been updated to reflect news that three people in Beaufort County have tested positive for coronavirus.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 14, 2020 at 1:45 PM.
