Specialty Clinic Report: 5 Important Precautions to Safeguard Against Coronavirus

Coronavirus is spreading at an incredible speed, infecting over 3 million worldwide, and has resulted in the deaths of over 200,000 people. Most of those who have caught the virus suffer little more than mild illness, however, the senior members of our communities and those with underlying health problems, are considered to be the most vulnerable and at risk of hospitalization and serious complications. It is therefore important to understand that each and every one of us can help, and has the responsibility, to lessen its impact and spread. Safeguard Against Coronavirus

Here are five precautionary tips to safeguard yourself and others against Coronavirus.

Practice social distancing and stay at home 

Staying at home is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and others from the virus and flatten the curve. 

If you are fortunate enough to be able to stay and work from home, you should do so and only leave the house for necessities such as grocery shopping or trips to the pharmacy. This will protect your community, helping to keep you and your loved ones safe.

If you cannot stay at home or need to pop out for groceries, remember to enforce social distancing, which has proven to be an effective way to reduce the spread of infection. Together we can slow down the spread of the virus by making an effort to keep a physical distance from others.

• Minimize close contact with others.
• Avoid non-essential gatherings, crowded places, or being in a group of people.
• Keep a distance of approximately 2 meters from others.
• Limit your contact with people who are in the high-risk category such as seniors and those with on-going health problems that are more susceptible to the virus.
• Avoid common greetings such as handshakes and embraces.

Wash your hands frequently 

It is essential to wash your hands often and thoroughly and maintain good overall hygiene to help reduce the risk of infection.

• Wash your hands as soon as you are back from being in a public place, or after coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands properly with soap and water for at least 20-30 seconds, making sure to clean thoroughly in between your fingers, the sides of your hands, and all the way up to your wrists.
• Wash hands, especially when getting ready to prepare food and after using the bathroom.
• If you are unable to wash your hands with soap and water, and a restroom isn’t readily available, use a hand sanitizer. Make sure that it contains at least 60% alcohol in order for it to be effective. 
• As an extra precaution, wear disposable gloves when going out in public to avoid contamination, particularly when going to the shops. 

Cover your mouth and nose with a face mask or cloth when outside in public or around others 

You can still be a carrier even if you do not feel unwell. It is, therefore, essential to cover your mouth and nose when going outside in public. By doing so you will be protecting others from infection in case you are an asymptomatic carrier of the virus. Wearing a face mask blocks liquid droplets that could be spread through sneezing or coughing, and offers some extra protection. Safeguard Against Coronavirus

•  Purchase or make a face mask to wear whenever you have to go out in public or on public transport.
• If you purchase a cloth face mask, wash and disinfect it frequently, washing it at a high temperature.
• Keep a 6-foot distance between yourself and others and continue to practice social distancing even when wearing a mask or cloth.

Practice good hygiene 

Proper hygiene has always been important, but in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, it is more important than ever. Practice good hygiene and:

• Use a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you do not have one on hand, then use the inside of your elbow. Wash your hands straight after. 
• Always throw any used tissues straight into the bin.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands if you are out in public. 

Cleaning and disinfecting regularly 

As an extra precaution, you should also be cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces daily. 

• Make sure to disinfect doorknobs, light switches, cables, handles, remote controls, countertops, etc. 
• If you are still going to the workplace, make sure that any machinery or equipment has also been disinfected before usage.
• If you have been out in public disinfect your phone, keys, and cards. 
• Wipe down any goods purchased from stores before storing them, as well as washing groceries