Coronavirus Tips: How to prevent getting sick
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus as a global pandemic on the 11th of March due to it spreading to almost every part of the world. We are now learning how to protect ourselves, protect others, and building a safe community. These are the five do’s to take into account during the outbreak.
For the most up-to-date news and information about the novel coronovirus (COVID-19), please visit the official WHO Website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website.
For the most up-to-date news and information about the novel coronovirus (COVID-19), please visit the official WHO Website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website.
“Do The Five” Initiative – How to protect yourself & others from COVID-19
1. Wash your hands
We say that we cannot live without our smartphones. But, at this point, we cannot live without hand sanitizers! When getting out, take with you a hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol. After you grab a doorknob or touch elevator buttons or a shopping cart handle – any surface in the public really – you have to disinfect your hand. The most important thing is to wash your hand before, during, after eating meals.
An alcohol-based hand sanitizer is convenient and immediate. On the other hand, normal hand washing is just as crucial to clean your hands. The thing is you just have to wash your hand with soap and water whenever you can. Only remember to do it thoroughly, step by step, for at least 20 seconds.
You can achieve 20 seconds hand washing by singing 2 rounds of Happy Birthday song
2. Physical-distancing
Apparently, we are learning to distance and leaving spaces. Until now, there have been mandatory mass quarantines and border closures around the world. That is because this virus is spreading from person-to-person. It has been confirmed that COVID-19 also spreads asymptotic which means that an infected person does not show any symptoms but can already infect others.
An infected person + a healthy person equals a newly infected person. So, it is crucial for you to keep a space of at least 2 meters (6 feet) with other people. This should be applied when you must travel during this time. When staying at the hotel, try to avoid public space that tends to be crowded such as the eating area. You can take your food to your room instead.
3. Cough into Elbow
When you feel like you are going to cough or sneeze, make sure to cover your mouth and nose. You should cough into the inside of your elbow or using a tissue. The used tissue, then, need to be disposed into a closed bin immediately.
After that, wash your hands with soap and water at least 20 seconds or rub your hands until dry with a hand sanitizer. If the cough and sneeze are getting worse, wear a face mask and distance yourself from others. Watch your symptoms and if you are having fever, cough, and shortness of breath, please consult your doctor.
4. Do not touch your face
Do not touch your face with unwashed hands. This novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is spread through direct contact with respiratory droplets from an infected person who coughs, sneezes or talks and through touching contaminated surfaces with the same droplets. And then, without consciously recognizing, you touch your nose, mouth or eyes. Please be aware of all time and remind yourself to not touch your face, wait until you get home and wash your hand.
Another reminder is that you must clean frequently touched surfaces daily. These surfaces include doorknobs, light switches, phones, sink faucets, countertops, handles, desks, phones, and keyboards.
5. Feeling sick? Stay Home
Stay home, stay safe, save lives is the new campaign across the world to help stop the spread of the virus. Take care of yourself and check if you do not feel well or think you might have COVID-19. Infected people with mild symptoms are able to recover at home without medical care. Fever and cough are common symptoms of COVID-19.
If you experience more serious symptoms such as trouble breathing or develop to emergency warning signs of persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, and bluish lips or face, you should get medical care quickly.
While the “Do The Five” Initiative is is a cooperation between Google and the World Health Organization, below you can view the 6 steps how to prevent a disease spreading from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This COVID-19 epidemic is a serious threat. However, the preparedness over panic is what we have to choose. You need to protect yourself so that you can protect those who are vulnerable and protect your community. Stay home, stay safe and soon, it will be better again!
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