Staying aware of the most recent information to fight the novel coronavirus COVID-19 is one of the best things you can do to act properly during the outbreak. Official organizations such as the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) have released helpful and practical instructions for the public to follow to help slow the spread and keep the most vulnerable healthy.
What Actions Can You Take to Fight the Novel Coronavirus COVID-19?
There are many things you can do to fight the novel coronavirus COVID-19 spread. Some are the same recommendations we should all be following to keep ourselves safe from other common illnesses such as the flu (influenza) and the common cold. Others are specific recommendations meant to slow the spread of this outbreak and keep people as healthy as possible while reducing the strain on healthcare systems around the world.
These W.H.O. recommended actions to fight the novel coronavirus COVID-19 spread include:
Wash Your Hands Regularly and Thoroughly
Wash your hands using soap and water. Rub all areas of your hands for at least 20 seconds, including your palms, backs of your hands, between your fingers, on your knuckles, your thumbs, and your fingertips. Antibacterial soap is not necessary. Antibacterial agents don’t have any impact on viruses such as COVID-19. Soap on its own will rip apart the virus and kill it and will wash away what is left.
In the absence of soap and water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer and be sure to cover all the same areas, aiming to do so for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer is often not as effective as soap and water but is a good alternative when the best option isn’t available.
Stop Touching Your Face
The fight against the novel coronavirus COVID-19 acknowledges that this is a respiratory illness. It enters the body through pathways such as your eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Therefore, avoid touching those areas. That way, even if the virus happens to be present on your hands, you will reduce the chances of sending it into your body. Then, when you next wash your hands, you’ll have sent it away before it could have the chance to infect you.
Maintain Physical Social Distancing
Stay at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from yourself and anyone else. Ideally, closer to 2 meters (6-7 feet). This is particularly important if the other individual is coughing or sneezing. That way, the tiny invisible droplets from the individual’s nose or mouth – which are the actual sources of the spread of COVID-19 – will remain far enough away from you that you won’t breathe them in. This includes self-isolating for 14 days following an international trip or after visiting a place known to have cases of the illness. It also involves self-monitoring for symptoms and avoiding public gatherings as much as possible. Use the phone or communicate digitally instead, as much as possible.
Practice Your Own Respiratory Hygiene
If you cough or sneeze, even if you don’t think you are infected, do so into your bent elbow, turning away from other people while you do it. This helps you to keep the spray of those tiny invisible droplets contained without putting them on your hands. If you cannot sneeze or cough into your bent elbow, do so into a tissue and safely dispose of that used tissue immediately. Ideally, wash your hands afterward, too.
If You Have Symptoms, Fight COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus Spread by Calling Medical Authorities
If you have a cough, fever and difficulty breathing, follow your local health authority’s directions. This usually involves phoning them, first, in order to avoid being in public as much as possible – further fighting novel coronavirus COVID-19 spread. Your authority likely has instructions clearly available on its official website.
