In an effort to stop the spread of the pandemic, the vast majority of nations have imposed coronavirus restrictions, such as bans on public meetings and border closures.
According to research from Johns Hopkins University, as of Thursday, COVID-19 had killed more than 47,200 people. The virus has infected 938 thousand persons worldwide, of which 194,000 have recovered.
Most folks are remaining indoors for safety. So, how can we ensure our safety at home?
Decontaminate surfaces
It is recommended to sanitise surfaces with frequent human touch. Clean surfaces such as tables, door knobs, keyboards, light switches, and remote controls with Clorox disinfecting wipes and specific Lysol sprays, both approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Our hands touch several surfaces and acquire viruses. By touching our faces, our hands can transport viruses to our eyes, nose, and mouth, where they can enter the body and cause disease.
Home delivery and mail collection
Many individuals prefer home delivery than shopping in-person. However, this does not come without risks. To reduce the risk of a delivery person transmitting the virus, request that they leave the package on your doorstep. Prefer electronic payments to cash. If you must meet the delivery person, maintain a gap of two metres (six feet).
When feasible, disinfect the delivered objects at home with disinfectants permitted by the health authorities.
After collecting your mail, you should wash your hands with soap or an alcohol-based sanitizer.
Having visitors
Avoid inviting visitors. In situations where this is not practicable, maintain social distance and avoid handshakes and hugs.
Respiratory hygiene
Maintaining proper respiratory hygiene is vital for safety. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with your bent elbow or a tissue. Throw away the used tissues and wash your hands quickly.
Feeling ill
Consult your physician, and then seclude yourself. If possible, avoid sharing restrooms with others. Decontaminate surfaces you have touched.
Keeping safe outdoors
It is recommended that just one person leave the house to acquire necessities, such as food or medicine, from pharmacies. This will reduce the number of individuals exposed to potential dangers.
When outdoors, observe social distance. If you have a mask and gloves, wear them. In supermarket stores, wash the handles of shopping carts before using them.
When you return home, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water and disinfect the purchased items.
WHO also recommends:
Keep abreast of the most recent information regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, which is accessible via the WHO website and your national or local public health authority. COVID-19 has been detected in the majority of countries worldwide, and many are suffering outbreaks. Authorities in China and several other nations have been able to contain their respective epidemics. However, the situation is unpredictable, so check the news frequently.
Protecting yourself and others from the contagious disease COVID-19
You can lower your risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19 by adopting a few easy precautions:
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand massage. Why? Using soap and water to wash your hands or an alcohol-based hand rub eliminates any viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain a minimum gap of 1 metre (3 feet) between yourself and others. Why? When a person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, little liquid droplets may be expelled from their nose or mouth. If you are too close, you can inhale the droplets, which may contain the COVID-19 virus if the individual is infected.
Avoid visiting crowded locations. Why? In crowded areas, you are more likely to come into close contact with someone who has COIVD-19, and it is more difficult to maintain a 1-metre physical distance (3 feet).
Don’t contact your eyes, nose, or mouth. Why? Hands touch a variety of surfaces and can acquire viruses. Once contaminated, hands are capable of transmitting the virus to the eyes, nose, and mouth. From there, the virus can infect the host’s body.
Ensure that you and others around you practise proper respiratory hygiene. This involves covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze with your bent elbow or a tissue. Then, discard the used tissue and wash your hands promptly. Why? Droplets propagate virus. By practising basic respiratory hygiene, you protect those around you against viruses including the common cold, influenza, and COVID-19.
Even with modest symptoms such as cough, headache, and slight fever, you should remain at home and isolate yourself until you recover. Someone should send you supplies. If you must leave your home, don a mask to protect others from infection. Why? Those who avoid touch with others will be protected against COVID-19 and other viruses.
Seek medical assistance if you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, but if possible, call in advance and follow the instructions of your local health authority. Why? Local and national authorities will have the most current information regarding the situation in your area. Your health care provider will be able to promptly direct you to the appropriate health facility if you call ahead. Additionally, this will safeguard you and prevent the transmission of viruses and other ailments.
Keep abreast of the most recent information from reputable sources, such as the World Health Organization or your local and national health authorities. Why? Local and national authorities are in the greatest position to advise residents of your region on self-protection measures.
Guidelines for the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers safely
To protect yourself and others against COVID-19, often and thoroughly wash your hands. Use a hand sanitizer containing alcohol or wash your hands with soap and water. If you use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, use and store it with caution.
Keep alcoholic hand sanitizers out of the reach of youngsters. Teach them how to administer and monitor the usage of the disinfectant.
Apply a coin’s worth of lotion to your hands. There is no need to utilise a substantial quantity of the product.
Because alcohol-based hand sanitizers might cause irritation, avoid contacting your eyes, mouth, and nose soon after usage.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers indicated for COVID-19 protection are potentially combustible. Do not use before cooking or handling fire.
Never use or allow children to consume alcohol-based hand sanitizers. It could be toxic.
Remember that soap and water are also helpful against COVID-19.
Do not disseminate false news on WhatsApp. People also use a modified version of WhatsApp, GBWhatsapp, to remove the app’s restrictions and access its advanced capabilities.
