Coronavirus Tips

The most important coronavirus tips concern our daily behavior, which is of great importance in minimizing the risk of infection. Prevention is now one of the most important elements in counteracting the continuation of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many countries place great emphasis on the DDM principle, which refers to disinfection, social distance and wearing masks.

In the era of the coronavirus, it is also worth knowing tips: how to deal with stress, how to behave when shopping and how to deal with the first symptoms of the disease or contact with a person infected with SARS-CoV-2.

How to avoid coronavirus infection?

The best way to avoid coronavirus infection is to apply the DDM principle (social distance, hand disinfection and wearing a mask). Keeping a distance helps reduce the risk of infection due to the mode of transmission of the virus. From the scientific data currently available, we know that the virus is transmitted mainly by droplets, so avoiding large concentrations of people (given the restrictions in place at the time) and covering your face (preferably with a surgical or other medical mask) can greatly reduce the virus entering our bodies and protect others.

SARS-CoV-2 is a new virus that is still being studied by scientists and doctors. So far, no vaccine has been invented to effectively protect against infection. That is why it is so important to follow the recommendations. Without question, the most important thing is to take proper precautions. Since the beginning of the epidemic, specialists have stressed the importance of maintaining proper hygiene in reducing the transmission of the virus. In order to minimize the risk of disease, hands should be washed frequently, using proper washing technique. The virus is removed from the hands with alcohol-based disinfectants (min. 60-70%) or soapy water.

The virus is transmitted by the droplet route, so the best way is to avoid human concentrations. If this is not possible, one should keep an appropriate distance, and pay attention not to touch the mouth, nose and eyes with the hands (contact with mucous membranes is the pathway of entry of the virus).

Great care should be taken to disinfect surfaces, such as doorknobs or other items that can be touched by infected people. For your own safety, you should refrain from using a cell phone while eating, and the screen or keyboard should be disinfected regularly, as the virus can remain on the surfaces of objects.

Individual immunity is also of great importance in the fight against SARS-CoV-2. If the immune system is working properly, then the chances of passing the disease severely are relatively lower. That’s why experts stress that it’s especially important now to live a healthy lifestyle. The key is healthy eating, physical activity, stress reduction and sleep hygiene.

People who experience any symptoms of a respiratory tract infection, such as sneezing or coughing, should cover their mouths to reduce virus transmission as much as possible. This is another argument for wearing a mask.

How to wear the mask correctly?

Correct use of the mask concerns both its proper wearing – covering the nose and mouth (not just the mouth!) and correct removal – and hand hygiene. The level of protection against the release of the virus into the environment and its entry into the body varies depending on the type of mask.

The key to effective protection against the spread of the virus is the use of masks that cover the mouth and nose. However, for a mask to do its job, it must be used properly. Tightly covering the mouth and nose is not enough. Be sure not to touch the mask with your hands while wearing it. Disposable masks should be changed regularly (when the mask becomes wet). Each time after changing and eliminating a used mask, it is necessary to thoroughly wash with soap and water or disinfect hands.

Social distance in times of pandemic

Experts, including virologists, stress the importance of maintaining social distance. This is important because of the nature of the spread of the virus, which is transmitted by droplet route. It is recommended that people who do not live together maintain a distance of at least 1.5 meters, as this is a safe distance that reduces the risk of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Failure to maintain a distance can cause an exponential increase in coronavirus infection in a short period of time.

How to wash and disinfect hands?

When washing hands with soap and water, it is essential to remember that it should not take less than 30 sekunf. WHO has developed detailed recommendations for hand washing. It is worth ensuring that the full instruction is in a visible place so that everyone can use it.

An alternative way to take care of hand hygiene is disinfection. Soapy water, although effective in removing the virus, is not always available. It is in this situation that the use of alcohol-based disinfectants is an excellent solution. The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate recommends using disinfectant liquids that contain at least 60% alcohol.

It is worth remembering that the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus also persists on various surfaces. It is for this reason that it is necessary to disinfect them regularly – especially those with which different people may come into contact. Disinfecting common surfaces, such as doorknobs in the workplace or railings on city buses, must be sanitized regularly to prevent the spread of the virus. Note that depending on the type of surface, the virus can persist from 3, even up to 72 hours. The shortest time the coronavirus lasts in the air is only about 3 hours. For surfaces made of cardboard, the survival period of the virus is up to 24 hours. By far the longest, up to 72 hours, SARS-CoV-2 persists on surfaces

How to shop safely during a pandemic?

Despite the difficult epidemic situation, everyone needs to stock up on daily necessities, such as groceries as well as cosmetics and basic cleaning products. Specific guidelines for shopping in the red zone have now been developed.

The basis is social distance. It is especially important in enclosed areas, where the risk of SARS-Cov-2 infection is higher indoors than outdoors. To increase safety, it is recommended to avoid touching common surfaces outside the home. However, when shopping, this recommendation can be difficult to implement, so use disposable gloves or disinfect your hands – gloves should be properly removed and discarded after leaving the store.

The best solution is to limit the number of trips and time spent in the store. Making a shopping list for a longer period of time can help. We can also order purchases online or through various apps, but this is not always possible.

Preventive measures for coronavirus

• Limit movement – Remember the obligation to keep at least 1.5 meters away from other people. Parents with dependent children (up to age 13); people living or farming together; people with disabilities unable to move independently, people with special education certification and their caregivers are exempt from this obligation.
• Cover your nose and mouth in public places – You must observe this obligation on the street, on public transportation, in stores, at the doctor’s office, among other places. Places where you do not have to cover your mouth and nose are: forest, park, greenery,, botanical gardens, historic gardens, in family allotments and on the beach. Also exempt from this obligation are people who have a document confirming: holistic developmental disorders; mental disorders; moderate, severe or profound intellectual disabilities; difficulties in uncovering or covering the mouth or nose on their own.
• Public transportation – Public transportation can be used with a limit on the number of passengers.

You can read more rules, including those for cultural events, religious ceremonies, gatherings, weddings or education, adopted as preventive measures on the Health Ministry’s website.

The above rules apply to healthy people, while infected people (with a positive test confirming COVID-19 infection), even without symptoms of the disease, and patients with a mild course of the disease, are subject to home isolation.

People who have had close contact with infected people should be quarantined. They must remain at home and must not leave their place of residence under any circumstances.

How to cope during the COVID-19 outbreak?

During an outbreak, keeping an appropriate social distance, covering your mouth and nose, and following hygiene rules are rules that should not be forgotten. But it is equally important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. How to achieve this? It is very important to provide the right nutrients for “immune building”. A balanced diet is one of the pillars of health, not only in times of pandemics. Rest is also of great importance, as fatigue adversely affects the body’s immune system, weakening it.

Read: What to do with your emotions when you get sick with COVID-19

In addition to a healthy diet and rest, a good dose of exercise is important for health. Despite pandemic restrictions, it is best to remember to get your daily dose of exercise (always with warm-up and stretching exercises after exercise).

Do not forget that limiting personal contact with other people, including in the professional aspect (e.g., the introduction of remote working) can have a negative impact on a person’s mental health. Isolation for too long, as well as the viral information chaos that reigns at times, can cause an increase in stress and anxiety levels. When caring for mental health, it is important to seek contact, albeit by phone, with loved ones. If stress or anxiety levels are high, it is worth considering consulting a specialist (psychologist or psychiatrist), whose knowledge and experience can help overcome difficulties or frustration.

The importance of the reliability of the sources from which information on the current epidemiological situation is drawn is also increasingly emphasized. Reliable sources of information reflect a true assessment of the situation without introducing information chaos.