Health experts say that the most effective way of preventing the risk of 2019 novel coronavirus is by practicing the tried and tested cold-season admonishments known for ages. Wash your hands, do not touch your face, cover your sneezes and coughs, and remain indoors if you are ill.
Although there is a myriad of things that we are yet to discover about the deadly viral strain, we know for sure that it spreads through respiratory droplets released in the air when the infected individual sneezes or coughs. Other people can get infected if a person comes in contact with a surface that has the virus on it and then touches the eyes, nose, and/or mouth without washing their hands with soap and water.
It is evident that hygiene is the most potent weapon in any battle between humanity and the on-going pandemic. What follows next is a brief discussion on the key benefits of personal hygiene during COVID-19 and how you can ensure it in five simple steps.
Benefits of Personal Hygiene
Frequent Hand Washing Regimen
Frequently wash your hands and make sure to scrub them for a minimum of twenty seconds. If you do not have access to soap and water, you can also use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
Remember the following steps for properly washing your hands with soap and water.
- Place your hands under cold or warm, clean, running water to make them wet completely and apply soap.
- Rub your hands together with the block of soap to generate a liberal amount of lather and make a point to lather under your nails, between your fingers, and the rear sides of your hands.
- Ensure that your hands are scrubbed for a minimum of twenty seconds.
- Make sure to apply only clean, running water for rinsing your hands.
- Air dry your hands, or you may use a clean towel as well.
No Touching of Your Face
Cease touching your face. However, it is easier said than done and necessarily calls for conscious effort on your part. On average, an individual touches his or her face as much as twenty-three times every hour, and almost fifty percent of the time, a person spends touching the nose, eyes, and/or mouth, the areas of the human body that tend to be most susceptible to COVID-19 infection.
From turning doorknobs to picking up articles, we continuously come in direct contact with laden surfaces with various kinds of pathogens. Our hands can pick up these disease-causing microorganisms, and they can enter our body through the mucous membranes present on our mouth, nose, and eyes, which are essential pathways to the lungs and throats.
Experts believe that one of the most effective ways a person can control the infection spread is to make it increasingly challenging to touch one’s face.
Watch Your Sneezes and Coughs
When it comes to discussing various effective means of accomplishing the key benefits of personal hygiene during COVID-19, always remember to use the inner side of your upper arm or elbow for covering your sneezes and coughs as it is one of the most recommended ways of preventing the spread of the global epidemic.
Covering your coughs and sneezes is not only good etiquette, but the practice also helps minimize the disease spread. Flu, influenza, and of course, the 2019 novel coronavirus are known to spread via microscopic droplets released from an infected individual, generally through sneezing, coughing, and hand-to-mouth contact.
Remain Indoors If You are Not Feeling Well
Do not try to go out if you are ill and get in touch with a registered medical practitioner as early as possible. Home care might be recommended in the event you or a member of your family is:
- Diagnosed with COVID-19
- Waiting for the COVID-19 test results
- Experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as a fever, sore throat, and/or cough
Any person who is not well, even if one does not know for sure that he or she is infected with COVID-19, should remain indoors unless medical assistance is required as it can help prevent the virus from spreading.
Wear a Mask
According to the health ministry, people must wear a cloth face, non-clinical-grade covering in public environments, including any place where it is not possible to practice social distancing, such as in a convenience store. It is essential because anyone carrying the virus remains contagious in the first seventy-two hours before the symptoms surface. Moreover, a considerable number of other people infected with the 2019-nCoV are known to be asymptomatic though they are fully capable of infecting other healthy individuals.
Conclusion
As the 2019-nCoV is expected to remain active for several months or even years, developing the aforementioned habits is paramount to ensure a healthy community. Furthermore, one should also remain vigilant about common colds, seasonal influenza, and other kinds of viruses. So, sound personal hygiene and appropriate disinfection practices will always be instrumental to one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
