Coronavirus has reached the pandemic stage, as it now has affected more than 90 countries – infecting more than 100.598 people and causing 3,411 deaths as of now.
While panic is spreading worldwide, most of the news is actually sensational baiting by desperate media websites to gain more views on their articles. Many websites have started peddling hokum news with quack treatments which are designed to dupe unwitting people.
Helpful guides exist as well, but most of them are either too extensive or complicated that people find them hard to follow. We have compiled a simple guide with easy to understand instructions on how to avoid catching the infection. We hope that you’ll find this helpful.
#1. Coronavirus can spread via sneezing
The virus can spread via sneezing/coughing as one sick person’s droplets can float into the air and reach other healthy people.
If you come across someone who is sneezing or coughing, or even appears to be sick – the best thing to do is to stay away from them by a distance of 0.5 to 2 meters. This will keep you safe from the large droplets.
#2. You should wear a mask, even if some say it’s not fully effective
Another thing to do is to wear a mask and suggest the sick person to wear a mask. While it’s not foolproof and may not actually prevent the spread of the virus, it reduces the risk of infection by a great deal.
#3. Always avoid crowds
As far as you can, try to avoid crowds because you don’t know how many people among them might be sick. Many people infected with coronavirus often do not show any symptoms of being sick, and they might just be the carriers of the disease. It’s important to note that many people wearing masks in public might not be actually sick, but just some cautious individuals who are protecting themselves.
#4. Don’t touch things in any kind of public space
Watch out for objects and items that are touched/used by multiple people. Door knobs, elevator buttons, pens, tissues, tap knobs, stair bannisters, common computers, chair handles, train handles, bus seats etc. could be teeming with a swarm of coronaviruses.
If you touch any of these things and then rub your eyes, touch your face or any other person, you run the risk of carrying the infection.
Note that the virus can survive on any of these objects for as long as 24 hours. So it’s wise to always practice caution while using things that might have been handled by other people. Always wash your hands thoroughly, with soap or any disinfecting handwash.
#5. Don’t touch yours or anyone else’s face (if it happens, make sure to wash it immediately)
Wash your hands with soap up to the wrist, make sure you thoroughly clean the back of your hands, the gaps between your fingers, and the part under your nails.
The process of washing should take at least 20 seconds. It is the same time that takes you to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
#6. Throw away your masks if they feel dirty or have some weird smell
The insides of your mask get warm and moist due to constantly filtering your breath, and that kind of situation is breeding ground for all kinds of germs.
Also, don’t touch the outside of your masks since there might be the virus and germs which the mask has filtered out.
#7. Do not share food, utensils, spoons, cups etc.
As far as you can, make sure to keep your things separate from others. Drink from your own bottle of water, eat from your own plate. Keep your own personal towels, napkins, and tissue papers.
#8. Avoid opening doors with your hands
Door knobs are one of the most risky places to catch a possible infection. Safest thing would be that you use your shoulders or elbows to open and close the doors, since your shoulders and elbows will never come into contact with your own face.
#9. Wash and sanitize your hands as often as possible
- Before and after eating
- After using/touching anything that might have been handled by other people
- After being out in the public
However, the most important thing to remember is that you shouldn’t believe the circulating rumours without any scientific basis.
Note that most people infected by coronavirus will only fall mildly sick, and get better soon. Death by infection happens only in people with weakened immune system, and that is why elderly people have a higher mortality rate as compared to the young people.
Practice these sanitary habits, stay safe, and let’s hope that this disease is vanquished soon hereafter.
Featured Image Courtesy: Al Jazeera
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