As summer drags on with the coronavirus pandemic showing no signs of waning, many people are forced to resume their normal routines. As places of work, worship, and schools reopen, it’s important that people continue to heed the guidelines for preventing the spread and monitor updates regarding the virus from reliable news sources like the Centers for Disease Control. Protecting public health is a group effort that everyone should be participating in. If you are looking for information on precautions to take with coronavirus, keep reading.
Simple Precautions to Prevent the Spread
Precautions to prevent the spread of the virus are essential to stay prepared for a coronavirus outbreak. Avoid close contact with those infected by the coronavirus, practice regular handwashing, and wear masks in crowded areas. Educate yourself with facts to dispel common coronavirus myths, ensuring informed and effective preventive measures.
Wash Hands Regularly
- It may seem like a small thing to do in order to prevent such a dangerous virus, but the fact is that this is one of the most effective things you can do to protect yourself from contracting the virus and spreading it. By washing your hands often with soap and water, you rinse germs down the drain and minimize the risk of contracting the virus from surfaces. Washing your hands is even more effective than hand sanitizer because it removes more germs. Make sure to wash your hands correctly to maximize the benefits!
Stay Home or Avoid Crowds
- We know that it isn’t reasonable to ask everyone to stay home 100% of the time, but the best way to avoid exposure is to avoid going out. If working and schooling from home isn’t possible, take care to avoid large crowds where you can. Even though it’s summer and it may be tempting to hit up the beach or public pool, try to find ways to entertain at home or away from crowds. Taking a stroll in a park or around your neighborhood at less crowded times is a fun way to get some fresh air and stay active.
Practice Social Distancing
- Even if you stay home 99% of the time, odds are that you will eventually have to leave in order to take care of some routine tasks like grocery shopping or going to the dentist. When these instances occur, you need to be sure that you are practicing social distancing. Social distancing is important because it limits the likelihood of spreading the virus from person to person. Maintaining the recommended 6 ft of distance is a great way to protect yourself and others.
Practice Good Respiratory Hygiene
- When blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, you need to make a point to practice good respiratory hygiene. If you have allergies or are coughing for any other reason, the very least that you should be doing is using a tissue or the crook of your elbow. It is preferable to wear a mask, which is also recommended for people that aren’t sneezing and coughing. Should you accidentally sneeze into your hands, wash your hands as soon as possible; if soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer will suffice until you can wash your hands.
Self-Isolate If You are Sick
- If you suspect that you have been infected or are experiencing any symptoms related to the virus, it is your duty to self-isolate, get tested, and wait it out. Although there are many common medical conditions that have similar symptoms to COVID-19, you can’t know for sure unless you get tested. If you care about public health and don’t want to pose a higher risk to others, quarantine yourself until you are sure that you don’t have the virus.
Avoid Touching Your Face
- To prevent yourself from contracting the virus while out in public, make sure that you aren’t touching your face at all until you have had the opportunity to wash your hands. This stops you from allowing the virus to enter your body through your eyes, nose, mouth, or ears.
Village Emergency Centers
At Village Emergency Centers, we want to ensure you can go about your life while staying safe. If you or someone you know is experiencing coronavirus symptoms, visit one of our Greater Houston locations, including Jersey Village and League City, for risk-free drive-through testing. Should you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, or trouble breathing, come in immediately for 24/7 emergency care provided by our board-certified doctors. Contact Village EC today to learn more about precautions to take with coronavirus and to find the location nearest you.