The recording of today's webinar titled "Coronavirus and Costume Shops" can now be viewed online. The webinar covered issues such as how long the virus lives on clothing, how to keep customers engaged, and what the various new federal acts entail. Click the image above to watch the video.
Thank you to our panelists: Janine Caufield of Caufield's in Louisville, KY; Marion Bradley of Balloons-n-Parties and Discount Costumes in Warner Robins, GA; and Louella Torrence of Drop Me a Line Costume Shop in Allentown, PA.
Several questions were raised that require further explanation:
1) Click here for details about the NCA 1,000 Mask Challenge.
3) Click here for preliminary info about the federal stimulus package.
4) Small Business Administration Emergency Loans are available across the country. The interest is 3.75 percent. Click here for details.
5) If you would like to post a question or comment for other NCA members, first click here to log into the Member Center, then hover your cursor over the Member Center tab and click on Community Forum. From there you can either click on an existing topic, or click on the New Topic button.
6) Here is guidance from the CDC about cleaning clothes (including, presumably, costumes):
Clothing, towels, linens and other items that go in the laundry
- Wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry from an ill person and then discard after each use. If using reusable gloves, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other household purposes. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
- If no gloves are used when handling dirty laundry, be sure to wash hands afterwards.
- If possible, do not shake dirty laundry. This will minimize the possibility of dispersing virus through the air.
- Launder items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.
- Clean and disinfect clothes hampers according to guidance above for surfaces. If possible, consider placing a bag liner that is either disposable (can be thrown away) or can be laundered.