How To Protect From Coronavirus
As
coronavirus spreads throughout the world, people are scrambling to find ways to
protect themselves from getting sick. The respiratory illness coronavirus has
spread across the world, including the US, and the WHO has officially declared
the disease a pandemic.
As the
threat becomes more widespread, new precautions must be taken: The federal
government has implemented various protective measures, as have individual
state, county, and city governments. You, too, should take steps to guard yourself
against COVID-19 and limit the spread of the novel coronavirus to others. In this
article, you'll find out how to guard yourself against coronavirus.
How likely are you to get the coronavirus?
Anyone
can contract COVID-19, although certain groups of individuals have a better
risk of developing serious complications from the virus and requiring
hospitalization. Many people who get coronavirus will experience cold- or
flu-like symptoms, and a few people that get the virus are going to be
completely asymptomatic. But regardless of which group you fall under, everyone
features a responsibility to limit the spread to people, especially to those
that may develop deadly complications.
Should the world be worried about the coronavirus?
Even if you
are not worried about your own health, you should remain aware that the novel
coronavirus can be fatal and is widespread in the world. Even if it does
not affect you, it may affect your friends, family, colleagues, or other people
with whom you have relationships – especially those who have any of the
high-risk factors determined by the CDC. People at high risk of developing
serious complications from COVID-19 include older adults, pregnant women,
people with asthma and HIV, and other people with underlying diseases,
including heart condition, lung disease, and diabetes.
"Approximately
80% of people will have only mild symptoms from COVID-19. Adults who are
healthy and active generally do the best, but part of the problem is that young,
healthy people can spread the virus to people who will not tolerate it as
well as healthy populations. "Physical
distancing may be a key component to decrease asymptomatic spread. "This
works by minimizing your risk of being exposed to the virus and, if you're an
asymptomatic carrier, you minimize the potential that you simply infect
somebody else." While
this may sound very simple, Doctors emphasize that it is effective and
"imperative at the current time."
How to protect yourself from the coronavirus
Nothing has
changed about the way COVID-19spreads, Dr. Moorcroft says, so the basics still
apply. The coronavirus is spread through the respiratory vapor, such as when
someone sneezes or coughs into the air around you. It can also spread if
someone who is infected sneezes or coughs into their hand, then touches a door
handle, light switch, and other "high-touch "surfaces. Influenza
viruses and common cold viruses are also spread this way.
However, now
that the virus is more widespread in the US, other preventative guidelines do
apply, such as the now-well-known concept of social distancing.
1. 1. Wash your hands
Yes, this is still the no. 1 way to prevent coronavirus.
"The things you should do to protect yourself from the coronavirus are
things you should do every day," he points out. "The no. 1 thing you
can do to prevent any respiratory illness is to practice good personal
hygiene." Washing your hands correctly -- using soap and water and washing
for at least 20 seconds -- or using hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't
available, still stands as the best way to prevent the spread of infectious
diseases, according to the CDC.
2. 2. Stay home
The CDC, the WHO, governments, and healthcare workers are all urging
people to stay home if they can. Obviously, some people don't have the luxury of
working from home, and people still need to venture out to grocery stores and
gas stations. But when you can stay home, do so to flatten the curve. If you do
need to leave the house, follow some basic preventative measures.
3. 3. Follow local public health guidelines
By mid-March 2020, many states, counties, and cities implemented their own
protective measures to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Many public
and private schools are closed, and youth sports programs have been suspended
just as college and professional sports have. Restaurants and bars are closed
or have limited hours and capabilities, as do other nonessential businesses,
such as clothing stores. If your state or local government has imposed guidelines,
you should follow them to the best of your ability.
4. 4. Boost your immune system
On top of basic illness prevention, the best (and only real) defense
against disease is a strong immune system. Your body is better able to fight
off illnesses when your immune system is really humming, he explains, and
everyone should put in an effort to get theirs into tip-top shape.
"This is a time to focus on all the healthy habits you may have been
putting off," Moorcroft says. "Start daily activities and food
choices that support your health and turn them into habits that will lead to
lifelong improvements in health. During this time, get adequate sleep and some fresh
air and sunlight daily.
" Also, stay hydrated, minimize overly processed foods and make sure
to eat enough micronutrients when you can (try your best with what you can find
at grocery stores right now).
5. 5. Try to stay calm
In addition to your physical health, you should take care of your mental
health. High-stress levels can take a toll on your immune system, which is the
opposite of what you want in this situation. If you're feeling overly anxious
about COVID-19, follow these tips from a psychotherapist to keep your nerves
calm. Other tips include: Doctors also reiterates the CDC's advice for avoiding
coronavirus (and other respiratory diseases):
- Sneeze and cough into tissues or the crook of your elbow. If you get mucus or spit on your skin, clean it off right away. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, especially people exhibiting respiratory symptoms and fever.
- Stay home when you're sick.
- Regularly and thoroughly clean surfaces, such as countertops and doorknobs, with a disinfectant. As for face masks, the CDC still maintains that only those who are sick should wear them to prevent the spread of the virus. If you are not sick, you don't need to wear a face mask unless you're caring for someone who is sick.
How can I protect me while traveling?
You really
shouldn't be traveling anywhere at this point, according to the WHO, the CDC,
the federal government, and state governments. Avoiding travel -- even travel
within your own city -- is the best way to stop the spread of coronavirus,
Moorcroft reiterates. For travel guidelines, check with your local or state
officials, and stay up-to-date with federal travel restrictions, CDC
recommendations, and WHO recommendations. Stay informed.
As COVID-19
spreads across the US, Doctors encourages everyone to stay armed with the
facts. Specifically, he recommends monitoring the CDC website and the WHO
website, where both agencies post daily updates on the number of cases in the
US and in the world, as well as continually updated guidelines on how to protect
yourself and others.
It's easy to
get swept up in the ever-increasing amount of information available online, as
well as the fear factor and misinformation from social media, and your best bet
is to get your information from the actual health organizations that are
investigating the issue firsthand. "I hope that people will feel empowered
by knowing the facts and also how to take care of your body and you can keep
yourself safe.”
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