5 Tips To Stay Safe From COVID-19 (and keep your families safe too)...

What is Coronavirus? 

According to WHO: Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). 

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans.

What are the common symptoms of COVID-19?

Common signs of infection include - respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. 

In more severe cases, infection can cause - pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. 

Additionally, it appears that symptoms are showing up in people within 14 days of exposure to the virus. 

Recommendations to prevent infection spread:

1. Wash your hands regularly

Respiratory viruses like coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread when mucus or droplets containing the virus get into your body through your eyes, nose or throat (avoid touching your face regularly).

Most often, this happens through your hands. Hands are also one of the most common ways that the virus spreads from one person to the next.

During a global pandemic, one of the cheapest, easiest, and most important ways to prevent the spread of a virus is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

The easiest way to distract yourself for 20 seconds, is to sing the first verse of your favorite song until the chorus.

2. Use a tissue when you sneeze or cough & wear a mask

It is crucial, to practice cough etiquette (cough into a flexed elbow or tissue, discard the tissue in the trash, and wash hands.)

The virus is primarily spread by respiratory droplets transmitted via close contact (within 6 feet) with an infected person, which are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. 

Also, if you’re going to a clinic or hospital to be seen by a health care provider because of concerns of cough or fever - wear a face mask to avoid transmitting possible infection or virus to other patients and medical staff.

3. Avoid going to work if you’re sick. 

The last thing you would want is to contract the virus when you’re low on immunity or infect somebody else. 

4. Be clean

It is vital to keep all premises clean and pest free. Your toilets should be dry and clean at all times. Also, don’t forget to bin litters and solid tissues.

5. Don’t double-dip or share utensils

This is to avoid contact with any possible respiratory droplet or saliva that could cause infection.

Don’t forget to stay safe, healthy and clean…

And most importantly - keep your environment safe by avoiding work, or any social gatherings even if you’re ‘slightly’ sick.