Our country and world across is faced with pandemic due to the COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019). Our country (India) is on complete lockdown for 21 days, from 23^rd Mar’20 to 13th Apr’20.  The entire population has accepted the decision by the government and we have quarantined at our home.  But, the next 10-11 days are crucial to avoid any spread of the virus across large communities.  This will require each and every one of us, to let go of our differences and collectively put an effort.  If we manage to do it then we will win the war against the most deadly invisible enemy and set an example for the world to follow.

Be Careful

There is plenty of info regarding the same that’s shared by experts and lawmakers.  Many of us have already assimilated the same and made a few adjustments to ensure the safety of our own selves & others around us.

I have been following a few safety guidelines over the past 3-4 weeks that I thought of sharing.

1. Wash your hands

It’s very common in our households to wash our hands & feet after getting back home from outside.  Now, we realize its importance and need to continue following the practice.  But additionally, it’s advised to wash our hands for the 20s with soap to clean every area of the hand.

2. Wear protective mask everyone you step out

This solves two purposes – avoids getting the infection from others and if you have one, it avoids spreading to others.

3. Wear disposable gloves while traveling to airports

We might touch many surfaces that are touched by potential carriers. Also, dispose off the glows, the moment you get back to a clean & safe zone.

I did like to share a personal experience from my visit to Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore, and a few weeks back.  I stayed there for 30mts and was constantly wearing my glows.  By the time my work was done and I headed back, my glows color had changed.  This was around my fingers area that had touched multiple surfaces.  I disposed of the glows before driving back home.

4. Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes when outside

As per one of the experts, every human touches their face (eyes, nose or mouth) ~2000 times in a day.  This could potentially lead to infection.

Avoid touching your face, especially when you are wearing glows.  The gloves’ surface could have potential foreign potential that could be harmful to your body.

5. Social Distancing

Follow the practice of keeping a 6 ft distance when walking in public places.  This will help when there is a potential carrier, walking around completely unaware.

6. Sanitizers

Always keep sanitizers at home & vehicles. Every time you come off a crowded place, use sanitizers to clean your hands.  It’s advised that one should buy sanitizer that has more than 60-70% alcohol.  This will kill the virus in the hands and prevent going into your body or spread it across.

7. Wash clothes after getting back

Whenever you get back home, one should immediately put the clothes for washing.

There are times when we are forced to step out of the home to buy groceries.  The dress yours might have got in touch with the potential carriers.

8. Avoid stepping out of home

The period of quarantine is very tough for all of us.  Humans are social animals and we love to socialize. During the quarantine period, avoid stepping out of home for any unnecessary reason.

9. Avoid spreading fake news

While the entire human race is battling the virus, we should avoid sharing any fake news. During these tense times, we don’t want people to get into panic, fear, and worry.  Check the news from 1-2 sources before sharing with known contacts.

10. Stay Positive

We all should believe that things will get back to normal.  Think about all the good things you will do and stay positive.  Spend time with your family and motivate each to sail across this difficult period.

Thought in Closing

The entire world has not seen a pandemic of this kind for 100 years, the last one being Spanish Flu in 1918.  There have been many other smaller epidemics like SARS, MERS, EBOLA but none to the scale as this one.  While we battle on, there is the good news of potential cures developed by scientists & doctors across the USA, UK & Australia.   But we will need to wait until all the tests are complete & drugs and/or vaccines are available to the public.

I am sure that mankind will fight through this battle and emerge victoriously.  I wish all my readers to stay safe & healthy.

More Information

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

https://www.bbc.com/news/coronavirus