13 Mar THE 101: 15 BEST PERSONAL PRACTICES

Here are 15 practices to incorporate into your daily routine that can protect you, your coworkers, and loved ones from getting sick – especially as we head into the colder seasons:

1. WASH YOUR HANDS REGULARLY 

Run your hands under hot water for 20 seconds with soap to kill as much bacteria as possible. If you have no access to that, 60% alcohol hand sanitiser should be your plan b.

2. AVOID TOUCHING YOUR HANDS, NOSE, EARS AND MOUTH 

According to a 2015 study, humans touch their faces an average of 23 times an hour, making it an easy way for the virus to transfer from a surface to your body.

3. COUGH AND SNEEZE INTO YOUR FIST, BENT INNER ELBOW OR HANDKERCHIEF/TISSUE

Don’t risk infecting others with the coronavirus droplets spreading.

4. IF YOU ARE SICK – STAY HOME

For the same reason as above.

5. WORK FROM HOME IF POSSIBLE 

The fewer interactions you have with people the better. Some patients might have COVID-19 but not present any symptoms because the virus is in its incubation period. Don’t put yourself at risk.

6. WEAR LATEX GLOVES WHEN USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT 

Door handles, bus and taxi seats, armrests etc can all harbour the virus for up to 24 hours. If you touch that and wipe yourself or touch your face, the virus can be transferred.

7. WEAR A MAST IN CROWDED PUBLIC AREAS

Protect yourself against those who won’t constrict their coughs and/or sneezes. Wearing a mask also assists as a reminder to stop touching your face. 

8. TAKE MULTIVITAMINS 

COVID-19 has proven fatal in patients who have compromised immune systems. While you might not have an autoimmune disease, people with diabetes and other chronic conditions already have weaker immune systems. Help your body build up a tolerance for germs.

9. RECONSIDER YOUR DIET  

Drinkers and smokers will also struggle with a compromised immune system so reconsider those habits for the time being. Help your body strengthen itself by eating whole foods prepared at home. Ordering takeout or eating at restaurants is risky at the moment because the health and hygiene of the kitchen and wait staff isn’t always guaranteed.

10. FLUSH TISSUES, DON’T JUST THROW THEM AWAY. WASH CLOTHES AFTER WEARING THEM, DON’T REPEAT OUTFITS

It isn’t enough to just throw things in the bin, flush away as much as you can so there is no risk of the COVID-19 bacteria transferring onto anything. Wash your clothes after you’re worn them. If you repeat unclean apparels, you are potentially exposing yourself to the virus.

11. DON’T PANIC BUY ALL CLEANING PRODUCTS 

Like vaccines, containment is only effective if we all have access. If you stockpile soaps and hand sanitisers, a lot of members of the public won’t be able to protect themselves. More people will end up getting sick.

12.  DON’T BELIEVE QUICK FIX SCAMS ON THE NET 

Bizarrely, there are people wanting to monetise the fear most people are experiencing. Some are claiming to have the cure which is either a special bleach, unique garlic concoction etc. There is no specified cure yet, which is why it is imperative that you are conscientious about prevention.

13.  STOP SPREADING MISINFORMATION OR PERPETUATING RACISM 

Despite earlier reports, coronavirus didn’t come from someone eating bat or snake soup. There is no reason to believe any race are the primary carriers. Stop targeting and racially profiling a group of people you think are responsible.

14. WIPE DOWN SURFACES REGULARLY – PHONES, LAPTOPS, TAPS, TABLETOPS, WINDOWS ETC.

Before using disinfectants such as bleach, wash surfaces with soap first. You want your living and working spaces to be as clean as possible.

15. BE VIGILANT 

Until a vaccine is developed, we must all self-monitor.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/coronavirus-myths-explored
https://www.kob.com/news/tips-protect-yourself-from-the-coronavirus/5671528/
https://www.citylab.com/life/2020/03/coronavirus-how-protect-yourself-public-transit-school-germs/607615/
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/16/health/coronavirus-how-to-protect-yourself-trnd/index.html
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/03/08/coronavirus-prevention-how-stop-touching-your-face/4965517002/