How should detention officers treat potentially infectious materials?

Detention officers should treat potentially infectious materials as if they are known to be infectious because this approach prioritizes safety and health. This practice is grounded in precautionary principles, particularly in environments where the risk of exposure to infectious agents is heightened, such as detention facilities.

By assuming that potentially infectious materials are indeed infectious, detention officers take necessary precautions to protect themselves, their colleagues, and individuals in their care. This includes using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), following hygiene protocols, and ensuring that any materials suspected of being infectious are handled, disposed of, and cleaned in a manner that minimizes the risk of disease transmission.

In contrast, treating potentially infectious materials as non-infectious, harmless, or irrelevant can lead to neglecting necessary safety measures, ultimately endangering public health and safety in a detention setting.