My hands are tired of being washed. The sound of running water makes them twitch. Raw and chapped they yearn for the old days when washing while necessary, was far less frequent. Oh, hand lotion how I long for ye, come to me and ease my pain.How did we arrive at the point? Where the new normal is a bottle of hand sanitizer in every room, purse, and glove box. Oh yeah, a little virus called COVID-19 is the culprit. It’s all around us, impacting every element of life, and disrupting our rhythm, our routines. We’ve learned more about social distancing, frequent washing of hands, and proper mask etiquette than we care to know. Our homes are the haven from this villain. And, within our homes, we should be able to function without living in fear.
The cliché the kitchen is the heart of the home, while a bit tired seems more appropriate than ever amid this pandemic. And, if the kitchen is the heart, we ought to be able to function in it without fear and worry about a virus attack. We deserve to be free to be creative, socialize, and feed and care for our families. COVID-19 has reintroduced us to our kitchens. The Safer at Home initiatives has forced us to familiarize ourselves once again to this space – the kitchen. We are prepping and cooking more than ever before. And, additional cleaning up has added to the tasks.
One product in the market that provides an extra layer of protection while working in the kitchen is quartz countertops. Its non-porous surface eliminates the need for sealing or providing other types of treatment. Quartz countertops make it difficult for bacteria, mold, and mildew to grow. A non-porous surface is also highly resistant to staining caused by many conventional everyday products. One specific brand, Silestone, has a trademarked (Microban) antimicrobial product mixed into their quartz countertops. Baked right into the product makes it a superior agent warding off unchecked bacteria that may be lurking in your kitchen. Full integration into the material protects the entire life of the product. According to the Microban website, the “antimicrobial product protection works to minimize damaging microbial growth on the surface of products, ensuring they remain cleaner and fresher between cleanings. The technologies also help to reduce the risk of premature product degradation.”Microban incorporated into a host of other household products, i.e., high-pressure laminate surfaces, appliances, plumbing products, and some fabrics, addresses the safety concerns we have. Microban’s antimicrobial technologies are changing lives for the better. Being grounded and isolated is stressful enough. Keeping your family safe and healthy shouldn’t be. With non-porous Microban infused quartz countertops and other similar products, the task of bringing joy back into the kitchen is closer to reality. And, keeping everyone safe, even if it still requires washing our hands.
