Coronavirus (CoV) is not a single virus. It is a family of viruses that can cause various mild to fatal diseases. These include the common cold and more serious ailments such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
On December 31, 2019, a new strain of Coronavirus was reported in Wuhan, China. It is called SARS-CoV-2 and causes the disease called COVID-19. This new virus strain has quickly spread across the world and has affected almost 100,000 people. It has caused 3,300 fatalities so far. And if its spread is not contained soon, it will result in many more deaths.
So, what can you do to stay safe from Coronavirus?
When it comes to health problems, prevention is always better than cure. Here are the most important Dos and Don’ts you can follow to stay safe from Coronavirus.
Coronavirus Dos and Don’ts
Do follow these:
- Wash hands frequently and well with soap and water. Use alcohol-based sanitizer when you go out.
- Maintain good personal hygiene.
- If you have a cough or cold, you should wear a mask before you step out of your home.
- Maintain good respiratory hygiene. While coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or disposable tissue. But if you have neither, cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow. If you cover your nose and mouth with your hand, wash or sanitize your hand.
- If you suspect you have COVID-19 disease, consult the doctor immediately and stay confined to your home.
- And if you experience symptoms like cough, difficulty in breathing, or fever during or after travel, consult a doctor immediately. Inform them of your travel history.
- Take sufficient sleep and rest. Avoid stress. Exhaustion, lack of sleep, and stress can make you more vulnerable to infections.
- Eat a healthy diet, take plenty of water and other healthy drinks
- Keep your home clean and well-ventilated.
- Disinfect equipment used while handling animals.
- Wash your hands with soap after touching animals or animal products.
- If you wear a single-use mask, discard it safely after use and wash your hands.
Avoid these:
- Avoid going to crowded places.
- You must avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth.
- Stay away from people who have flu symptoms. It’s advisable to keep a distance of at least one meter from such a person.
- Avoid traveling if you have a cough or fever.
- Avoid traveling to countries that are affected by Coronavirus.
- If you wear a safety mask, do not touch it once it is on.
- Avoid going to market places where various animals are kept.
- Avoid contact with sick animals, stray animals, spoiled meat, and waste/fluids in an animal market.
In addition, follow these food safety precautions if you eat meat:
- Don’t eat raw or under-cooked meat.
- Use different chopping boards or other utensils for raw meat and cooked food.
- Wash your hands carefully with soap after handling raw meat.
- Wash your hands between handling raw meat and cooked food.
- Don’t eat animals that were sick.
