The novel Coronavirus, Covid-19, has
been recently declared by the WHO as
a pandemic. This means that
Covid-19 is a virus that is spreading in multiple countries around the world at
the same time.
While this new development goes on to
further cement the seriousness of the spread of the virus, the WHO approach to
the virus has remained the same. In a previous article, we discussed some
facts about coronavirus. We will now
see ways you can protect yourself from this pandemic.
Maintain
Personal Hygiene
The need for personal hygiene cannot be
overemphasized. As there is no known cure or vaccine at the current time,
maintaining personal hygiene is a means to prevent being infected with the
virus.
Make a habit of handwashing regularly. Use soap and running water to wash your hands for about 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or after sneezing or coughing into your hands. In a case where soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer. The sanitizer should be at least 60% alcohol-based. Rub on all surfaces of your hand continuously until dry.
A healthy lifestyle should also be
pursued. It has been observed that the virus is considerably fatal among two
groups of people – the elderly and those with health issues. Therefore
maintaining a healthy lifestyle places you in better stead. Get plenty of
sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat
nutritious food.
Avoid
Public Spaces
Public gatherings present an ample
situation for viruses to be transmitted from one person to another. So as much
as possible, avoid crowded places. Always take precautions to keep as much
space between you and the next person. Especially avoid sick persons to avoid
getting infected.
Check
Yourself for Symptoms
The symptoms of Covid-19 include the
following:
- Fever
- Cough
- Breathing difficulties.
If you are experiencing any of these
symptoms, immediately contact a medical practitioner. Do this especially if you
live in an area where the Coronavirus has been reported or you have come in
contact with anyone who has been infected. Be sure to follow through with the
14-day quarantine period as it takes about that period to show symptoms.
If you have been diagnosed with the
virus, do everything possible to avoid spreading it. This will include using
nose masks when unavoidably in the presence of others, sneezing or coughing
into a tissue that should be disposed of immediately, among others. If a tissue
is not available, cough or sneeze into your sleeves or the crook of your elbow,
never your palm.
Be
Wary of Touching
The virus has been seen to survive on
surfaces for hours. This presents a medium of transmission. Be careful of
touching surfaces in public settings. Public phones, computers, pedestrian
bridge railings, elevator buttons, doorknobs, etc, are among common surfaces
that can be infected.
Try to avoid touching your face. The
virus is absorbed by the body through the mucous membranes, which is that red
area in the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay
Informed
Given the publicity given to this virus
(for good reasons obviously), some people become paranoid and go to extremes in
a bid to avoid this pandemic. The proper information about the virus must be
sourced to avoid unnecessary panic.
Be sure to follow reliable news sources
to get information about any new developments as far as the virus is concerned.
Also be careful about spreading any unconfirmed information about the virus to
others on social media or otherwise, be it on “newly discovered cures” or a
surprisingly “immune” race.
Below are a few trusted resources you
can keep tabs on the Coronavirus updates: