Protect yourself and your community – Here’s how

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We’re living in unprecedented times where our daily lives have been disrupted by Covid-19. As we stand up to face the challenges posed by this virus, let’s also look at the little steps we can take to exercise caution and safeguard ourselves. 

Here’s what each one of us can do:

 

Rules & Etiquettes of Wearing Masks

One of the most important yet often overlooked mandates is wearing a mask at all times when venturing out or if accompanied. There are no two ways about it:

– Everyone, literally everyone, should wear a mask.

– Always wear masks when you are with someone who doesn’t live with you.

– Your mask should cover your entire nose and lead right to the bottom of your chin.

– Before putting on the mask, make sure your hands are sanitized.

 

Rules & Etiquettes of Social Distancing

The norms of social distancing haven’t yet changed from the previous year. 

– A minimum of 1 meter distance needs to be maintained if you are outside your home. It is also crucial to remember that physical distancing is vehemently essential to keep others safe and not just you. Keep in mind that the second wave is producing mostly asymptomatic victims. So, even if your immunity fares well against the second wave, another person may not be so lucky!

– Coming to social distancing inside residences, if one of your family members is affected by the new wave, you have to maintain a distance of 1 meter from them and also wear a mask whenever possible.

 

Avoid crowds and inadequately ventilated spaces.

– Being in crowded spaces like in restaurants, bars, fitness centers, or movie theaters puts you at immense risk for COVID-19. Even grocery stores and small shops can be unsafe if you don’t follow protocols.

– Avoid indoor areas that do not offer fresh air as much as possible.

– If indoors, allow for fresh air by keeping your windows open.

 

Wash your hands frequently.

– Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after being in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

– It’s essential to wash your hands;

• Before eating or cooking food
• Before touching your face
• After using the restroom
• After leaving a public place
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After handling your mask
• After caring for someone ill/infected.

– Suppose you cannot wash your hands when outdoors, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 90% alcohol. Include all surfaces of your hands and clean and dry them thoroughly.

– Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

 

Monitoring Health is a Must

 Let’s prioritize our health over anything else. While there are doctors and health care workers and others doing everything in their power to help us, let’s also take the initiative to take care of ourselves. Precaution is always better than cure, and hence, regardless of how well you feel, pay attention and monitor your health as sometimes these can be the difference between life and death.

For those who aren’t aware, here are the guidelines:

– Be cautious about the symptoms: The most authentic symptom that hasn’t changed for the variants is the lack of smell and taste. If you cannot detect strong smells such as that of garlic or onion, go for an RT PCR test immediately. Other than this, the usual symptoms still include fever, cough, and body ache.

 

– Monitoring Oxygen levels: This has become the direst need of the hour when oxygen levels exponentially fall with the second wave. Many a time, we overlook shortness of breath, but this can prove fatal now. Get an oximeter right away and monitor the amount of oxygen in your blood every 6 hours. Consult your doctor if it goes below 95.

 

Cleaning and Disinfecting

– First things first, thoroughly clean all those surfaces that are highly prone to touch. For instance, doorknobs, switchboards, phones, laptops, desks, toilet seats, kitchen sinks, spoons. 

– Stringent use of hand sanitizers and cleaning products from the recommended lists of WHO is crucial to avoid compromise in the quality of disinfection.

 

Vaccines

Vaccination against Covid can help you fight the virus better and save your life. Therefore, it is important to register yourself as soon as you can, including the youth, for all the doses of the vaccines. Register for the covid vaccine here- Cowin

 

 

Final Words

India is replete with good samaritans. While we are out there helping each other, and frontline workers are giving every inch of support they can, we require each one of us to be accountable for our own selves as well as for those around us. Follow the best practices and let’s continue to do our bit to take care of our health in this fight. While we get external support from our healthcare professionals and the likes.

Humanity is one, and we will definitely get over this!