How to Prepare for the Coronavirus
The Coronavirus or COVID-19 is perhaps one of the most alarming diseases to spread all over Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. With coronavirus now hitting the United States with 90 cases and 6 confirmed deaths, health experts have been warning people that the spread of this virus may be inevitable. This means that you must prepare and protect yourself so you can help your family and even your community.
Helpful Ways You Can Protect Yourself from Coronavirus
While this outbreak is a serious public health risk, many infected do not become seriously ill however, it is still important that you know the basic steps on what to do so you can also minimize the risk of getting infected and at the same time help protect others. Here’s what you need to do:
Wash your hands frequently
Washing hands may be tedious to do at times, but with the widespread infections from coronavirus, it is a MUST.
- I repeat, washing your hands is a MUST and you must do this thoroughly especially if you come in contact with public things (doors, elevators, escalators, public toilets, etc) at all times. You can do this by lathering your hands with soap (antibacterial soap is the best) under running water.
- You must then scrub the back of your hands, between your fingers and pay attention under your fingernails.
- You must scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Once you are done, rinse your hands well and dry them with a clean towel.
- You can also use hand sanitizers or with a solution that has 60% alcohol content.
If your hands are unwashed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise people to avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose just to be safe.
Keep your distance from infected people
If you know someone who is showing flu or cold-like symptoms, then it is best to stay at least six feet away from the person. If you cannot avoid them, a little distance is helpful. Since the virus spreads through droplets in the air, via sneezing or coughing, it is best to keep a distance of at about 2 feet apart minimum.
In case you are sneezing or coughing, direct it into your elbow. DO NOT SNEEZE IN YOUR HANDS. Sneezing or coughing directly in your hands can leave germs behind which can then spread quickly through other surfaces you touch. You must also push doors or elevator buttons with your knuckles instead of your fingertips. If by chance you did use your hands to cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing, it is best to wash it thoroughly afterward.
Wear an N95 face mask for protection
There are plenty of masks that people use to protect themselves, but only use the one recommended by the health care professionals such as the N95. This helps by protecting you from any droplets (from sneezing or coughing) that you might come in contact with. In severe cases, you must also protect your eyes by wearing a full-face respirator (like a gas mask) or have separate eye protection like goggles.
The most common mask that you see people wear in Asia is a surgical mask. These are not official respirators but they are helpful in protecting other people from you but not as helpful as protecting you from others. Official respirators like the N95, on the other hand, are used tightly around your face so no infected particles can get in. But if (and only IF there are no other options to take) your options are few and not a lot of N95 are available, you can also use the surgical mask by placing two plies of tissues inside it before covering your face. It’s better to have it than use nothing at all.
Unless you are not infected and in good health, CDC does not recommend wearing a face mask. However, if you are around sick people, say at work or at home, it is best to use one just so you are protected from being infected.
Avoid traveling for the meantime
Canceling your plans to travel sucks but if there is a travel ban then it’s best to follow the law. Keep in mind that traveling means mingling with a lot of people and you might not know who is infected and who is not. While traveling to warmer places in the United States sounds good, always check if there are any announcements from the CDC regarding traveling around other states. You can always get a “cancel for any reason” insurance but it could cost you. So it is best to avoid traveling for the moment while the issue of coronavirus is not entirely resolved. This is especially important if you are sick or pregnant.
Stock up food, water, and medical supplies if you can
Keep in mind that you can choose not to wear a mask if you are healthy and not infected. HOWEVER, you must not skip on your home supplies. This means you have to store up for food, water, and medicines. According to experts, you must at least have stocks that could last for 30 days of any needed prescriptions. This means you have to buy medicines that can help you for at least 30 days.
You must also store up the essentials for your household especially if you have small children. Wet wipes, diapers, soaps, detergents, and other important things must be in your stash.
Your water storage must be enough for at least 5 days in case there is water disruption. Rule of thumb is that you must have at least one gallon per person. So if you live with other people, you must multiply the number of gallons per person to the number of days then you will know how much water storage you need.
Storing up rubbing alcohol as a disinfectant is also important. Make sure that all the surfaces in your home are clean and disinfected. In case you do blow your nose in a tissue, make sure to throw it separately in the trash and cover it properly. You must also clean those “high touch” surfaces like your computers, phones, and tablets. Keep in mind that besides the public, your home can also be a potential place of an outbreak. So make sure that you keep your house clean, disinfected and be up to date with the news as well as announcements regarding the coronavirus situation.
Strengthen your immune system
- It is also important that you boost your immune system and remember, this is a very important thing to do. Coronavirus usually affects the immune system of a person and so keeping yourself in good health is the best way to defeat this illness. There is no cure for the COVID-19 as of today but maintaining a strong and healthy immune system is the best thing you can do. What you can do is:
- Exercise, this will keep your physical health in shape. Exercising on a daily basis can help boost your immune system, making you more resistant to viruses like COVID-19.
- Take vitamins and supplements. This means you have to provide your immune system with plenty of vitamins like ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). It helps support the immune responses of your body and at the same time stimulate the production of white blood cells. Vitamin C can also help produce more antibodies in your body which helps fight off any foreign invasion from germs, bacteria, and even viruses. You can benefit a lot from Vitamin C, get this vitamin by eating or drinking citrus fruits.
- Refrain from all substance abuse addictions including drugs, alcohol and marijuana.
- Attain rehab and treatment at Arizona’s Best Drug Rehab, Arizona Addiction Recovery Center.
Always have a Plan B
Your immediate plan must be executed well but you should also have a backup plan in case there is a sudden mass outbreak of the coronavirus. Always make sure to layout your plans with your family members so they will also know what to do just in case the situation gets worse. Make sure that they are up-to-date with your plans and if there are any changes, you must inform them as well.
Always have a checklist on your supplies and know the best route to evacuation centers in case you are called by the government to do so. This is a must especially if you have small children, are pregnant, or have preexisting illnesses among your family members. Get your children flu shots and vaccinations as well, this will help them fight off any illnesses. And lastly, avoid believing rumors and fake news. This will only create panic among your people, make sure to get the information straight from the source before taking any action. A great educational and informative addiction news website and publication is Together AZ.
With all the media hype about the coronavirus, it is easy to panic and be scared about what might happen. However, what you can do is, take a deep breath and follow the guidelines above. It is easy to be scared about something you don’t understand, but if you educate yourself, approach the situation in a calm, collected manner and ask the right questions to health care professionals, then you will see that it is not something to be too distraught about. The best thing you can do for now is to protect yourself and your family and be updated about the situation. Life still goes on, you just have to be extra careful right now. If you are struggling with hand sanitizer addiction, call AARC today. We are seeing an 25% increase in folks getting addicted to hand sanitizer ever since the threat of the Coronavirus has shown up in America and Arizona. 1-602.346.9130
