The fear of the Covid-19 pandemic is becoming increasingly widespread. Even though every government will do its best to cushion its citizens, there is more you can do. It is possible to prevent yourself from getting infected with the virus.
Respiratory infections spread like bushfire if people do not follow the laid down guidelines. Here are some steps to staying safe from the pandemic.
Staying safe where you live
As you know, it is easy to contract respiratory infections because you have to touch surfaces and interact with people daily. Some of the steps you may follow while at home include:
• Always wash your hands. A good handwashing session should last for 20 or more seconds. The CDC recommends the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing 60% alcohol.
• Ensure that you disinfect surfaces such as work desks and kitchen seats. That is because you may come in contact with them several times.
• You should always remain at home if you have any other health issues. Also, that applies to people aged above 60- years. However, you can avoid crowded places if you must go out.
• Stay away from people who may have signs that could relate to the disease. Mostly, these are people who may be coughing and having flu-like symptoms.
• Always wear a face mask to prevent droplets from other people from your nose and mouth.
• Ensure you get Covid-19 information only from the right sources. The World Health Organization is one such source.
• Also, you should always avoid touching your face, especially areas around your eyes, nose, and ears. Always clean your hands if you have to touch these body parts.
Staying safe at school or workplace
Some of the daunting places in the event of a pandemic are schools and workplaces. That is because of the number of people that visit these places daily. However, it is possible to prevent infection if you follow the right steps. Here is what you can do;
• Ensure that workplaces are clean. Pay special attention to areas that people are most likely to touch. Also, you can disinfect devices that people touch daily such as computers.
• Provide washing points with sufficient water. If not, you may provide alcohol-based hand sanitizers at various locations within your premises.
Also, it is essential to determine the measures taken to prevent the spread before visiting a school or institution. You should avoid visiting these places if you feel the authorities have not taken the right measures.
Staying safe while traveling
You are discouraged from traveling during the pandemic. However, there may be solid reasons why you have to travel from one place to another. Here are measures to take in consideration when traveling:
• Always ensure you clean your hands. Regular washing of hands helps kill the virus in case you touched surfaces with droplets containing it.
• Always ensure you sit 1 meter from people that are coughing, sneezing, or showing flu-like symptoms. For safety, you should keep a safe distance from anyone even though they are not showing any signs.
• Always follow Covid-19 regulations provided by local authorities. You should follow the rules both at departure and those set by local authorities at your destination.
• Ensure you wear a mask to protect yourself and fellow travelers. You may use an ultra-light face mask to prevent you from feeling fatigued from moving with it around.
What to do if you start showing signs
Even with practicing the highest safety standards, you may begin to feel symptoms of the disease. What should you do? Here are some safety tips to follow:
• Ensure you cough into your elbow. Alternatively, you can cough into tissue paper and dispose of it immediately.
• Stay at home and isolate yourself from other family members.
• Call your doctor but do not make attempts to visit them unless directed.
• Inform your doctor immediately if you feel shortness of breath.
• Use separate facilities, bedding, cutlery, and other things if isolated at home. You risk spreading the disease to other people if you share this essential equipment.
Final thoughts
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way of life. You, therefore, need to adapt to the new safety precautions provided by health organizations and governments. That will help both to keep the rate of infection down and reduce the number of fatalities.