Starting all the way from Wuhan in China, the coronavirus has made its way across the world, moving fast enough for the World Health Organization to call it a pandemic. As a result of this rampant COVID-19 crisis, Americans have become anxious and increasingly scared of crowded places and communal spaces.
The good news is that preventing the virus can be done with the same set of precautions used to keep away colds and flu. In this period where self-isolation is now the order of the day, here is how to keep your home and family free from the disease.
Keep Washing Those Hands
For a very good reason, admonitions to wash your hands are almost starting to sound like a siren. It is one of the basic but critical practices you need to adopt in stopping the spread of respiratory viruses and other germs. It is also one of the many measures recommended for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To curb the spread of this virus in your home, wash your hands regularly. At least, after using the restroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Use soap or a sanitizer and scrub every part for at least 20 seconds.
Did you unavoidably have someone over and you do not know if they are COVID-19 positive? The best way to keep your house free of the virus is to wipe the most-touched surfaces. Did the visitor handle your remote, fiddle with your doorknob, drink from your cup or lean on your fridge? As much as it is weird to limit what they do in your living space, you can sanitize or sterilize these surfaces once they are gone. Also, at least once a day, try to spray your home to get rid of any airborne chances of the infection.
Limit Bodily Contact
So something needs to be done and you go to a supermarket to get some groceries. While you are out there, try as much as possible to not physically contact people or touch places where you know everyone else is bound to touch. Depending on where you reside, work or school, social distancing is highly recommended, which is why many events, including the NBA, are now being canceled. Coronavirus spreads fast, and a single touch can get you infected. So it is best to make sure you limit physical contact with people.
Have Sanitizers On You
Not everyone has been given the go-ahead to work from home yet, and not everybody actually can. So if your job description does not fit into the remote category, it means you will still be going out there to earn a livelihood. But while you do, have hand sanitizers in handy. Have one in your office, one in your car, one in your handbag or backpack and definitely several in your home. If you have kids, teach them to use these things whenever they touch or do certain things around the house.
Another way to limit the spread of coronavirus in your home is to get tested. If you are having symptoms, which can include breathing problems, running nose, body aches, and repeated sneezing, you should probably go to the nearest testing center. That is the only way you can be sure whether or not you have it and if you should get quarantined. It is better you spot it early on than the virus spreading across your family and putting your loved ones in danger. Also, remember to stay indoors if you were exposed to the pandemic.
The world’s top researchers and medical experts are bursting to seem to develop a vaccine for coronavirus. But while they do their bit and hope to get results soon, you can protect yourself and your family by staying aware.