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The growing COVID 19 or coronavirus outbreak is causing chaos in global financial markets. It’s freezing supply chains, and also it’s causing workplaces from all over the world to create work from home plans and ban business travel.
COVID 19
In late January 2020, Chinese scientists in Shanghai released the fully sequenced genome of the novel coronavirus that was wreaking havoc in Hebei province. This kicked off the race at drug companies and government labs to develop a cure for coronavirus or at least its symptoms. In terms of vaccines, the US has moved at a pace we have never seen before. But still, it’s going to be at least a year to a year and a half until they have a vaccine broadly available to deploy.
So how does this COVID-19 spread and how do you protect yourself against it?
COVID 19 is an infectious disease. It is caused by a new coronavirus introduced to humans for the first time. It is spread from one person to another person primarily through the droplets produced when an infected person speaks, coughs or sneezes. These small droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are closeby. These chunk of droplets are too heavy to travel far in the air.
They only travel approximately at a range of one meter and quickly settle on surfaces around you. This is the main reason individual-to-individual spread is happening mainly between close contacts. The exact time that the virus can survive on surfaces is not yet discovered.
How to Protect Yourself from COVID 19?
So it is wise to clean surfaces regularly, particularly in the vicinity of people who are infected with COVID 19. In our daily life, our hands touch many surfaces which can be contaminated with the virus. It is recommended if you can avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth since contaminated hands can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself.
Wash Your Hands Regularly
When coughing or sneezing, try to cover your mouth and nose with the bend of your elbow or use the disposable tissue. If a tissue is used, discarded immediately into a closed bin. The most effective way to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus is to clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. By doing so you can eliminate the virus if it is on your hands. Stay healthy, keep your hands clean all the time and prevent the spread of COVID 19.
When and how should masks be used in order to protect against the new Coronavirus?
In a recent YouTube video, from WHO (World Health Organization) Dr. April Baller states, if you do not have any respiratory symptoms such as fever cough or runny nose, you do not need to wear a medical mask. Mask alone can give you a false feeling of protection. It can also even be a source of infection when not used correctly.
Healthcare Professional or Sick – Use your Mask
She also mentions that these masks should be used by healthcare workers caretakers or by people who are sick with symptoms of fever and coughs. Why? Because health care workers and caretakers are in close contact with ill individuals, so they’re at higher risk of catching COVID 19.
Sick people should wear masks to protect others from small droplets that can come out when they cough or sneeze. So for health care workers, caretakers are individuals who have fever and cough, this is how you should wear a mask.
How to wear a mask for COVID 19?
- Before touching the mask clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
- Inspect the mask for tears or holds, verifying which side is the top. This is where the metal pieces.
- Identify the inside of the mask which is usually the white side.
- Fit the mask on your face.
- Pinch the metal strip or stiff edge so it holds to the shape of your nose.
- Adjust the mask over your face covering your mouth and chin making sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
- Do not touch the front of the mask while using it to avoid contamination.
- If you accidentally touch it, clean your hands.
- To take off the mask remove the elastics from behind without touching the front.
- Keep it away from your face.
- Discard the mask immediately in a closed bin and clean your hands.
Final Thoughts
It is important not to reuse a mask. Replace it with a new one as soon as it gets stamped. Remember the best way to protect yourself from the new coronavirus is frequently cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
References
All the information is gathered from the WHO (World Health Organization). The purpose of this information is to spread awareness regarding coronavirus pandemic. If you or a person you know are sick it is recommended to contact your nearest doctor at the earliest. Stay safe!
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
