We can never be too careful, especially under a global pandemic that isn’t going away anytime soon. Below are reminders and tips to help control the spread of COVID-19, starting in our homes.
For COVID-19 Carriers/Survivors
The virus has indeed paralyzed the economy, as well as people’s social lives. COVID-19 victims with comorbidities are even more vulnerable. If you contract the virus, especially its more recent strains like the delta and lambda variants, it can result in panic and anxiety. However, there are ways to go about serious situations like this.
1. Follow quarantine protocols.
Shield your loved ones from the pandemic and prevent our medical systems from collapsing by isolating yourself. There are studies that show how self-quarantine, especially for symptomatic COVID-19 carriers, reduces the chances of infecting other people.
Celebrities who have contracted COVID-19 despite doing lock-in tapings are all put in their own bubbles, so as to avoid putting other people at risk. Likewise, ordinary people must take responsibility and accountability for their actions. Please be careful and considerate of other people.
2. Clean and disinfect as much as you can.
If we look back on things we disregarded, like removing protective equipment at vulnerable times, or getting too physically close to other people, then this must be used as a lesson for us.
In our homes, we can start with more constant cleaning and disinfection schedules. After going outside, our bodies must be thoroughly washed with soap and running water.
Especially after having experienced the symptoms, the uncertainties, and the many other casualties that COVID-19 brought and continues to bring, we must double our awareness and initiative to protect ourselves and the people close to us.
3. Start a (virtual) conversation.
As much as we take concrete action to limit the spread of COVID-19, we must also partake in knowledge sharing. If we are in positions of authority especially when it comes to having reliable information on COVID-19, we must see to it that we impart what we know to those who need it.
For Both COVID & Non-COVID Carriers/Survivors
It can get scary when watching the news and the numbers piling up everyday. People are drained, frustrated, and disheartened by the current situation. However, preventative actions against COVID-19 can always be taught, practiced, and integrated into our daily lives.
1. Get vaccinated when you have the chance.
While some are exhausting their resources to secure a slot for an anti-COVID jab, others may still be struggling with vaccine hesitancy.
Skepticism towards getting inoculated is common, but we have to recognize that there is overwhelming evidence of the efficacy of vaccines both in the past and among ongoing research experiments.
While government budget and vaccine availability are the major forks in our way to achieving herd immunity, it becomes all the more difficult when there is a lack of public faith in the power of vaccination.
If given the chance to get vaccinated, we are highly encouraged to take it. This way, we don’t only protect ourselves from COVID-19. We also protect our loved ones and those around us from possibly contracting it.
2. Get good quality PPEs.
If unvaccinated yet, face masks and face shields are our first line of defense against COVID-19 and its emerging variants. It’s necessary to get personal protection equipment or PPEs that are of quality and proven to reduce the risk of a COVID-19 infection.
As much as possible, wear disposable masks. Masks made of cloth are fine, but they still potentially carry viruses from outside. If you want to sport trendy and cool masks made of cloth, make sure you disinfect them after using them.
For frontliners, it's important that they get the PPEs that they need, especially because of the nature of their work. Among the essentials are gloves, goggles, and gowns. The safety and protection of one frontliner is the safety and protection of all frontliners. Hospital systems would collapse without them.
3. Follow safety protocols when in public.
Social distancing rules must be observed all the time. Wearing protective gear, temperature checking, and frequent washing and sanitizing of hands are still very much encouraged.
Don’t get too confident when you brush past people. Protect yourself because anyone can be a COVID carrier, including asymptomatic individuals.
Small acts of compliance to safety protocols add up and contribute largely to the overall safety and protection of the populace. If you follow these protocols, keep up the good work! If you don’t, it’s not too late to start following them now.
4. Avoid going outdoors especially if not necessary.
It can be tempting to randomly meet up with friends or workmates at your usual hangout spots in the metro, especially after months of isolation and working from home.
However, we must keep in mind that we are still under an ongoing pandemic that is currently not showing any signs of slowing down.
To accommodate this, limit outdoor meetups as much as possible, even if we’re dining al fresco or chatting for a short period of time. Physically hanging out with other people increases the risk of getting infected with COVID-19.
Especially if it’s not work-related meetings, it’s best to forgo them for now. Stick to virtual gatherings and get-togethers until things are a lot safer and better.
5. Be wary of disinformation.
Nowadays, everyone has a platform where they can speak their minds. There is hardly any filtering or regulation anymore when we consume media.
While some do their part in sharing helpful and factual information to the public, others deny the reality of COVID-19. Some even discourage mask-wearing in public. It’s important to discern and scrutinize the things we see and hear.
Trusting reliable institutions on information regarding COVID-19 is a good start. Take precaution on false claims, like prescription drugs that are falsely marketed as COVID-19 medicines, or pseudoscientific approaches like applying “healing oils” or plants to cure COVID.
There Is Always Hope
Amidst all the languishing and feeling stuck in a limbo, we can always ignite hope in ourselves. We can start by using both our bodies and minds to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Our seemingly little ways of helping out actually create a ripple effect that we don't realize. May we be shielded from the pandemic and its aftershocks, and remain hopeful until COVID-19 leaves for good.
Sources:
D’Souza, G. (2021, April 6). What is Herd Immunity and How Can We Achieve It With COVID-19? Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2021/what-is-herd-immunity-and-how-can-we-achieve-it-with-covid-19
Fox, J. (2021, January 25). Cloth Masks May Look Better, But They Don’t Work Better. Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/tosv2.html?vid=&uuid=52d4b7ee-04f9-11ec-a5a5-4f574f786663&url=L29waW5pb24vYXJ0aWNsZXMvMjAyMS0wMS0yNS9wYXBlci1tYXNrcy13b3JrLWJldHRlci10aGFuLWNsb3RoLW9uZXMtdG8tYmVhdC1jb3ZpZC0xOQ==
Hatfield, C. (2021, August 6). Study: Masks, Social Distancing Still Necessary To Combat COVID-19. Wisconsin Public Radio. https://www.wpr.org/study-masks-social-distancing-still-necessary-combat-covid-19
Lowth, M. (2021, January 8). Coronavirus: what are asymptomatic and mild COVID-19? Patient.Info. https://patient.info/news-and-features/coronavirus-what-are-asymptomatic-and-mild-covid-19
Stulpin, C. (2021, July 31). Vaccine hesitancy common enough to threaten herd immunity, study finds. Healio.Com. https://www.healio.com/news/infectious-disease/20210730/vaccine-hesitancy-common-enough-to-threaten-herd-immunity-study-finds