COVID-19 is spreading rapidly. Help healthcare experts and government authorities prevent the spread of the disease by taking these preventing measures!
With more than 1 million confirmed cases and about 500,000 deaths (so far) globally, it wouldn’t be an understatement to say that COVID-19 has impacted the world negatively. The pandemic has put life on hold for many, depriving them of their freedoms, their friends, and, in the most drastic cases, their livelihood and shelter. The end of this pandemic is nowhere in sight, and vaccines are still in the development phase and far from being publically available.
Despite these circumstances, many people have resumed some of their (essential daily activities). Many people go out for work while others have to leave the safety of their homes to do groceries. Some people with chronic medical conditions and have to visit the doctor’s clinic for their regular medical examination.
Unfortunately, everyone who goes out in public spaces can potentially get themselves exposed to the deadly coronavirus. And every person who gets exposed to the virus can put several others (family and colleagues) at risk.
Is There Anything We Can Do to Protect Ourselves and Others from COVID-19?
According to the World Health Organization, the best way to avoid getting affected by COVID-19 and slow down the transmission of the disease is to acquire authentic knowledge about the virus and how it spreads. This is because having the right knowledge will enable you to take the correct preventive measures.
9 Measures That Can Help Prevent (or At-Least Reduce) the Spread of COVID-19
Here are the nine most recommended precautionary or safety measures that are known to help reduce (if not prevent) the spread of novel coronavirus:
1. Wash Your Hands – For at least 20 seconds, using soap and water, after every activity and before touching food and your face.
2. Avoid Going In Public – Ideally, you should stay at home. However, if that’s impossible, try to avoid going to public spaces as much as possible.
3. Practice Social Distancing – When around people, whether at work or at a grocery store, remain at least six feet away from other people, at all times.
4. Wear a Protective Face Mask – Given the current circumstances, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommends that everyone should wear a non-surgical mask when going out in public. Also, avoid social touching – shaking hands, hugging, and kissing
5. Avoid Touching Your Face – Keep your hands off your face, particularly your mouth, nose, and eyes.
6. Do Not Share Your Personal Items – Separate everyone’s utensils and towels at home if you share them earlier. Also, avoid sharing your foods and drinks even with your family members.
7. Clean High-Touch Surfaces Regularly – The information regarding how long the novel virus can survive outside the human body and its capability for transferring from hard surfaces to humans is still limited. However, there is evidence that it can live on surfaces from 24 hours up to 3 days. Therefore, healthcare experts recommend to be highly careful and clean the widely used areas and surfaces regularly (at least once a day) with an appropriate household disinfectant. These include toilets, shower areas, sinks, faucets, tables and desks, doorknobs, and light switches. Also, clean your phone regularly.
8. Do Not Travel – Healthcare authorities strongly recommend against traveling during this time. However, if it’s necessary and cannot be avoided or delayed at any cost, make sure to be extra careful and take as many protective measures as possible.
9. Stay Clear of Cash – It has long been a known fact that currency notes are one of the major carriers of germs. Research has shown they can have more germs than your toilet. Therefore, o not use cash or limit its use as much as possible.
Be Extra Cautious If You Are a High-Risk Person
If you’re older than 60 years, immunosuppressive, have a respiratory disease, diabetes, heart disease, or any other chronic disease, or are taking an immunosuppressant drug, you are at a significantly high risk of getting affected with COVID-19. To minimize the risk, you need to be more careful and take a lot more precautionary measures than a regular person. Also, travel and public gatherings are a BIG NO for you.
Since COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus, our information regarding it is still limited. Also, there is no cure available for it, as of now. So, the only way to prevent or slow down the disease’s spread is to protect yourself. If everyone takes the recommended precautionary measures, we can (hopefully) limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.
