Coronavirus COVID-19 is an infectious disease, it was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The disease spread globally and number of patients are increasing rapidly. It seems like a endless war between life and a virus.
Flu, cough, fever, sore throat and body ache, are some common symptoms of COVID-19. The virus mainly transmit to others through small droplets produced by infected person during coughing, sneezing or even talking. Contaminated surface can also transmit the virus.
According to the World Health Organization WHO, there is no vaccine available for the cure of COVID-19. Preventative measures set by all scientists and doctors are the only hope to fight against this virus. Leading scientists Anthony Fauci of the U.S. and Sir Patrick Vallance of the UK have not shown any hope for vaccine against COVID-19 for 12 to 18 months. There are some experimental vaccines already giving positive results to cure COVID-19.
Some precautions and preventative measures to stop catching, transferring and carrying COVID-19 are discussed here.
Washing hands
Washing hands is like a slogan of COVID-19, where ever you hear or read about this disease, one of the most highlighted point is to wash your hands.
You must wash your hands at least for 20 seconds frequently and properly. Use soap and water or hand sanitizer to wash your hands carefully. Washing hands is one of the most important step to avoid getting sick or spreading the virus. Wash hands after:
- travelling in public transports
- coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
- after touching any contaminated surface.
- if you shake hand or touch some one else.
Social distancing
Whether you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or not you should follow social distancing. This means that you should not be in any gatherings or groups of more than two people to maintain a distance of six feet from each other.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend staying six feet away from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Tips for maintaining social distancing
- Follow rules or guidelines issued by health authorities of your area.
- Cover your nose and mouth properly while going outside.
- Avoid to attend any event or social gatherings.
- Manage your work or classes online from home.
- Try to buy your groceries and other things online instead of visiting stores.
Use of elbow
Coughing and sneezing produced droplets that transmit COVID-19 virus from infected person to others. When coughing and sneezing cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow. If you use tissues then dispose them immediately.
Avoid touching your face
The virus may can transmit through your eyes, nose and mouth. Touching your face without washing your hands is dangerous. The COVID-19 virus remains alive on many surfaces for more than three days so in contact with such things can transmit the virus.
Your hands touch several things in a day, touching your face or body with unwashed hands is like helping the virus to spread more.
Use of face mask
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people need to wear a face mask only, if they are coughing, sneezing, or taking care of a COVID-19 patient.
You must follow some steps to use face mask during COVID-19:
- Wash your hands with soap and water or you must use sanitizer before touching face mask.
- There should be no gap or space between mask and your face, nose and mouth must be properly covered with mask.
- Don’t touch your mask while wearing.
- You must wash your hands if you touch your mask due to any reason.
- Try to use a clean and tidy mask if you don’t get a new mask every time.
- Always remove your mask from its back strings and avoid touching its front.
- Discard the used or untidy mask in closed bin.
Stay home stay safe
To control or reduce the spread of COVID-19 people must stay at home as much as possible. Stay home, stay safe is the best one solution. You should avoid all nonessential travels, meetings or events. Manage your work and classes from home. Avoid hand shakes and public gatherings.
