COVID-19 has become the hallmark of 2020. While everyone was worried about contracting the virus a few months ago, that heightened sense of alarm soon fizzled out. With countries opening their borders and people partying like everything is back to normal, it is hard to believe that the threat of COVID-19 still looms.
However, it is important to be aware that the virus has claimed more than a million lives since its onset. This means that staying cautious is the best course of action. While you wait for a vaccine, there are some measures you can implement to keep yourself and your loved ones safe throughout this year and the next one. Here are some of the precautions that you need to keep in 2021.
Wearing a Mask
This tip will most likely enrage anti-maskers, but wearing a mask is still the best way to keep yourself safe. This is not to say that you have to keep wearing one all the time, though. When social distancing is not an option, especially in crowded supermarkets and public transportation, a mask can prevent you from spreading or contracting the virus. Seniors, in particular, should wear masks when they are in close contact with other people. If you have trouble breathing while wearing a surgical mask, experts point out that cloth ones are also effective. You can even make them yourself at home using simple materials. Make sure that you take some time to learn how to use and dispose of masks correctly to avoid increasing the risk of infection. Just note that you do not have to wear a mask when you are working out because it can cause breathing problems.
Washing Hands
Even before COVID-19 was a thing, maintaining basic hygiene was essential. Washing your hands after touching surfaces, being in close contact with people, and taking off your mask is a must. Soap and water are usually enough to kill the virus. However, if you are out of the house, the folks at https://totallypure.com/ recommend that you use a hand sanitizer that consists of 60% alcohol, at the very least. If you have not washed or sanitized your hands for a few hours, it is best not to touch your face to avoid infecting yourself by accident.
Limiting Close Contact with Others
Staying at home may not be feasible for those who have to go back to work. Although locking yourself in your house might be the most effective way of warding off the virus, it can negatively affect your mental health, not to mention that it is simply not practical. So, if you need to go out for work or to run some errands, feel free to do so, but please abide by social distancing rules. According to the CDC, you should keep a 6-feet distance between you and others. You may also want to avoid crowded places and big events like bars and weddings. To avoid packed public transportation, you can walk or cycle to your workplace if it is close enough.
Disinfecting Surfaces
Surfaces can be a fertile environment for COVID-19. This is why you need to make sure that all the surfaces in your house are pristine. You can use soap and water or a household disinfectant to do so. Take extra care to clean the surfaces you use all the time, such as your faucets, doorknobs, and toilet. You also need to disinfect your phone and other electronics using suitable products.
Staying Updated
Every day, we are bombarded with a lot of new information about COVID-19. Unfortunately, not all information circling the internet is true. So, you need to know how to find reliable sources. The CDC and World Health Organization are the most trustworthy institutions to seek in this case. You must also be familiar with the symptoms of coronavirus to be able to tell whether you have been infected. If you do spot warning signs like dry cough and fever, resist the urge to self-medicate because medicines such as hydroxychloroquine, which has been falsely advertised as an effective treatment, can do more harm than good, especially when there is not a doctor to administer the right dosage.
Since there is currently no vaccine for it, COVID-19 is still a menace. Even if everyone is acting like it is not, you must stay on guard. Masks, good hygiene, and social distancing are all viable ways of keeping coronavirus at bay. With the afore-mentioned measures in mind, you will be able to avoid contracting the virus and spreading it to your loved ones in 2021.
