All Orders Ship Next Business Day From New York

Watch Your Guard: Protective Measures against Covid-19

by Mohammad Bhutta

After March 2020, we entered a new world order with the entrance of coronavirus within our borders. Since then, we have seen an increase in the daily infection rate, and the virus has reached all parts of the world. The invention of the vaccines brought a new hope of resuming our normal activities.

However, before we get there, there a still a few things that need to be done to fight the virus. In view of this, CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has given several guidelines and protective measures to help stop the spread of the virus.

Understand How Coronavirus Spreads

More than a year after the virus was discovered, there is still much to learn about it. However, there is now more information available that can help people take preventative measures. According to the CDC, coronavirus is a highly contagious virus that spreads through:

Close Contact with an Infected Person

Corona spreads when you are within 6 feet of an infected person. It is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Shaking hands with such a person who has come into contact with the droplets can also cause an infection.

Airborne Transmission

There is a lower chance of airborne transmission. When small droplets and particles with the virus linger in the air for a few minutes or hours, it can lead to the spread of the virus. Such particles can infect people who are keeping a distance of 6 feet or more. Such infections are linked to enclosed spaces without adequate ventilation.

Contaminated Surfaces

This is also an unlikely way of spreading the virus. However, CDC states that it may be possible to get a Covid-19 infection when you touch a contaminated surface. It is a similar case to other respiratory diseases. Touching your nose, mouth, or nose with an object with the virus can also spread the virus.

Social Distance

It has become one of the most repeated places in the last year. Since the leading cause of spreading the virus is close contact with an infected person, social distancing helps stop or slow the spread. The CDC advises that you keep a distance of 6 feet from other people in public places. It protects you when a person you are near to sneezes or coughs and they are infected.

Research shows that the chance of spreading the virus reduces by over 80% when in an outdoor setting compared to indoors. It is because of enough space to social distance and good ventilation.

Wash Your Hands and Practice General Hygiene

Good hygiene helps stop the spread of the virus. CDC has a detailed recommendation of the best routine.  

  • Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water if you have gone to a public space, coughed, sneezed, or blown your nose.
  • You need to wash your hands before preparing meals, eating, or touching your face. You need to wash your hands after using a restroom, blowing your nose, touching your mask, or been in a public space. You also need to do so after caring for a sick person or touching an animal.
  • Soap and running water may not be readily available. In those cases, use an over 60% alcohol-based sanitizer. Rub all the surfaces on your hands.
  • Do not touch your eyes, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands.

You also need to disinfect surfaces that you touch daily frequently. This list includes handles, countertops, phones, toilets, sinks, faucets, doorknobs, and keyboards.

Travel Restriction

There is a correlation between traveling and an increase in the spread of covid. When you travel, you also expose yourself and increase the opportunities to get infected. You should avoid non-essential international and domestic travel. If you can, stay and work from home to reduce the spread of the virus.

If you have underlying medical conditions, avoid travel altogether. If it is a must to travel, stay updated on all restrictions. Remember to quarantine after traveling if you get infected to stop the spread of the virus.

Wear a Mask

You need to wear a mask when in public to help curb the spread of the virus. Wearing a mask also protects you from infection from asymptomatic spreaders. The masks provide a barrier between you and the public. It reduces contact with respiratory droplets when a person sneezes or coughs. You also protect other people if you have an infection.

Call Ahead if You Show Symptoms

Coronavirus symptoms are similar to influenza. They include:

  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or breathing difficulty
  • Fever or chills
  • Fatigue
  • Body and muscle aches
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea or Vomiting

Know the differences between influenza and Covid-19 symptoms. If you think you have been affected, you need to call a medical facility and seek medical care immediately you start having breathing difficulty. You also need to avoid contact with other people and always wear a mask to leave the house.

Get a Vaccine

Lastly, you can get vaccinated. Currently, almost all citizens above the age of 16 can reach out to their health facility and get a vaccine. You can talk to your doctor about this to receive protection against the virus.

Conclusion

If you want to protect yourself against covid, keep social distance, wash your hands, and avoid unnecessary travel. You can also get vaccinated to help stop the spread of the virus.

Back to News
×





×