8 Prevention Tips for the Coronavirus Era
This is the Coronavirus Era. The novel (new) coronavirus, known as SAR-COV-2, is capturing headline news for going on two months now without a sign of letting up. It is important to keep yourself up to date and to plan accordingly.
As I’m writing there is still much uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, the respiratory illness the new coronavirus causes. I sense a lot of fear going on, and that is never good. It is hard to think clearly when fear is clouding the voice of reason. It also stresses the body at a time when we want it to be in the best shape to fight the virus if we should get it.
Johns Hopkins University is compiling data and tracking the spread of this virus. This tracker is updated daily. SAR-COV-2 originated in China, but is now impacting every continent except Antartica.
What do we know about SAR-COV-2 and the disease it causes called COVID-19?
- SAR-COV-2 seems to be spread person-to-person, although the original source may be an animal. Community spread is happening. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.
- The median incubation period of COVID-19 from exposure to the onset of symptoms is 5.1 days. So the 14-day quarantine period the Center of Disease Control (CDC) recommends is reasonable to monitor an individual for development of the disease.
- Individuals over the age of 60, those with underlying disease conditions, and individuals, like us, on immunosuppressive medications are more vulnerable and are at greater risk.
- SAR-COV-2 can spread to others without symptoms.
- The virus can live on a surface for days.
- symptoms can range from mild to severe. The majority experience symptoms on the mild side.
What can we do to help stay safe? Here are 8 tips for the Coronavirus Era:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds often. Especially before eating and after using the bathroom.
- Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing. (Then properly discard the tissue)
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth without first washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water.
- Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces you frequently touch.
- Get your flu shot.
- Avoid crowds, cruise ships, and rethink any unnecessary travel until the viral threat is over. It is best for everyone.
- Use my *FRESH*™ strategy to help your body fight an infection.
We are learning more each day about this virus, it’s characteristics, and how to best deal with it. I’m using the Coronavirus Era to further develop habits to make them a normal part of my day-to-day life in order to practice continuous infection control.
What are you doing to keep yourself healthy? Leave a comment, please!
And that is using Arthritis Wisdom!
Stay Safe and Healthy. ( And stay calm )
XXOO Cathy
photo credit: CDC from Unsplash
