We are all social beings and we cannot live in isolation for a long period of time. Life has to be lived in a normal way. There must be real human interaction.
Even if we are with our family members, relatives and friends, or if we are in any place with other people, sometimes we wish we could have a device that will alert us who is infected with that coronavirus so we can do what is necessary. It is asymptomatic so we do not know exactly who contracted the disease as carriers appear to be healthy.
What if you go to a place where there is an infected person, a total stranger, who is later diagnosed to be suffering from COVID-19? Normally the government authorities trace where they went and who were near them so they can be quarantined for more or less two (2) to three (3) weeks. Will you be prepared for the related health authority procedures? After this, you do not know what happens next. There is an article that shows that even if a patient is cleared from that, he can still be contagious.
I always ask myself -- "How strong is my and my family members' immune system? What will happen to the world? How can we defeat this COVID-19?"
Fears envelope me knowing that my two (2) children are a registered nurse and a medical technologist/medical research specialist. (The eldest is a nursing graduate but he does not want to pursue this career.) I pray that God will protect them from all kinds of harm.
If there is a website that we all must always check about updates on COVID-19 outbreak and what-to-do's, it is the World Health Organization's (WHO).
Some of the basic reminders which I summarized based on WHO website --
- Always wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based and rub when dirty.
- Cover your mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue to a trash bin with cover, then do number 1.
- Keep away from sick people -- at least one (1) meter away. Those who cough, sneeze and/or with fever can transmit the virus to you via the small droplets from their mouth, which you can breathe in if you are too close.
- Avoid touching mouse, eyes and nose ('MEN') when you have not washed your hands yet as they may be contaminated with the virus.
- Avoid touching surfaces in hot spots as the virus may transfer to your hands.
- Seek immediate medical care if you experience difficulty in breathing, with cough and flu.
- Have a health check if you traveled from China where cases of COVID-19 are reported, or if you have had close contact with someone from China who shows related symptoms.
- If you have mild symptoms without travel to and in China, just stay at home.
- Handle uncooked meat, milk or animal organs with extra care to avoid cross-contamination.
- Wash hands with soap and potable water after touching animals and animal products. Keep away from sick animals and spoiled animal products.
- Avoid contact with stray cats, dogs, rodents, birds and bats in live animal markets, wet markets or animal product markets.
- Be alert and stay away from potentially contaminated areas -- market/shops structure or ground/soil with animal waste or fluids.
My friend told me that I get crazy with my frequent reminder to her, "Maintain social distancing because COVID-19 spread without symptoms (asymptomatic)."
I passionately mean it. In a country considered to be a second home to different nationalities (200+), it is better to keep a distance away from crowded or public places to be safe. It is scary. "This too shall pass," according to Og Mandino. I hope soon, very soon.
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Photo credits: Pixabay
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