Basic protection measures against the new coronavirus

Basic protection measures against the new coronavirus

Keep up to date with the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, which can be accessed on the WHO website and through relevant public health authorities at the national and local levels. COVID-19 continues to mainly affect China's population, although outbreaks have occurred in other countries. Most people who become infected have a mild illness and recover, but in other cases it can be more serious. Take care of your health and protect others through the following measures:

Wash your hands frequently

Wash your hands often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water.

Why? Washing your hands with an alcohol-based disinfectant or soap and water kills the virus if it is on your hands.

Take respiratory hygiene measures

When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with your elbow flexed or with a tissue; Throw the tissue away immediately and wash your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water.

Why? Covering the mouth and nose during a cough or sneeze prevents the spread of germs and viruses. If you sneeze or cough with your hands, you can contaminate the objects or people you touch.

Maintain social distance

Keep at least 1 meter (3 feet) away from yourself and others, particularly those who cough, sneeze, and have a fever.

Why? When someone with a respiratory illness, such as a 2019-nCoV infection, coughs or sneezes, they project small droplets that contain the virus. If it is too close, you can inhale the virus.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

Why? The hands touch many surfaces that may be contaminated with the virus. If you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself.

If you have fever, cough, and shortness of breath, get medical attention early

Please tell your healthcare provider if you have traveled to an area of ​​China where the presence of 2019-nCoV has been reported, or if you have had close contact with someone who has traveled from China and has respiratory symptoms.

Why? Whenever you have a fever, cough, and shortness of breath, it is important to seek medical attention immediately, as these symptoms may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Respiratory symptoms with fever can have a variety of causes, and depending on your travel history and personal circumstances, the 2019-nCoV could be one of them.

Stay informed and follow the recommendations of healthcare professionals

Stay informed about the latest news regarding COVID-19. Follow the advice of your healthcare provider, relevant national and local health authorities, or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up-to-date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are the most suitable interlocutors to give advice on the measures that the population of their area should adopt to protect themselves. 

Protective measures for people who are in areas where COVID-19 is spreading or who have visited them recently (in the last 14 days)

• Follow the guidelines outlined above.

• Stay home if you start to feel unwell, even for mild symptoms such as headache and mild runny nose, until you recover. 

Why?  Avoiding contact with other people and visits to medical centers will allow medical centers to work more effectively and help protect you and others from possible infections with the COVID-19 virus or others.

• If you have a fever, cough, and shortness of breath, seek medical advice quickly, as it could be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Call ahead and inform your health care provider of any recent trips you have made or any contact you have had with travelers.

Why?  Calling ahead will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health center. This will also help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus and other viruses.

Ask WHO

Q: Should I avoid shaking hands with the new coronavirus?

A: Yes. Respiratory viruses can be spread by shaking hands and touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. It is best to greet with a wave of the hand, a bow of the head, or a bow.

Q: How should I greet people to avoid getting the new coronavirus?

A: To prevent COVID-19, it is safest to avoid physical contact when greeting each other. Some safe forms of greeting are a hand gesture, a nod, or a bow.

Q: Is wearing rubber gloves in public an effective way to prevent infection with the new coronavirus?

A: No. Washing your hands frequently provides more protection against the spread of COVID-19 than wearing rubber gloves. The fact of wearing them does not prevent contagion, since if you touch your face while wearing them, contamination passes from the glove to the face and can cause infection.

Helping Children Manage Stress During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Children can respond to stress in a variety of ways, for example, by becoming more dependent, concerned, angry, or agitated, by closing in on themselves, or by wetting the bed.

Be sympathetic to your child's reactions, listen to their concerns, and offer more love and attention.

Children need the love and attention of adults in difficult times. Spend more time and attention on them.

Remember to listen to your children, speak kindly and reassure them.

When possible, organize moments of play and relaxation with your child.

As much as possible, try to keep children close to their parents and family and avoid separating them from their caregivers. In the event of separation (eg, through hospitalization), be sure to maintain frequent contact (eg, over the phone) and to offer comfort.

Maintain routine routines and schedules as much as possible, or help create different ones in the new environment, particularly school and learning activities, as well as times to play safely and relax.

Explain what has happened and what the current situation is and give children clear information on how they can reduce the risks of contracting the disease; use words they can understand based on their age.

Also provide information about hypothetical situations (for example, a family member and / or child is feeling unwell and has to go to the hospital for a period of time so that doctors can help them recover).