Quarantines and lockdowns might be stressing all of us out as most of us haven’t gotten a breath of fresh air since they started, but it’s imperative that we still follow the rules and guidelines set forth alongside them to further mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus. While different terms have surfaced to describe the quarantines, one thing’s for sure, they are there to remind us that the fight against COVID-19 isn’t over yet. With 30,000 cases in the country and rising, it’s for the greater good and for our own safety that we keep in mind the different ways to keep ourselves and others safe from contracting the virus.

To refresh our minds and remind ourselves that COVID-19 is still a threat to the country, here are a few things to remember to keep ourselves safe during the pandemic.

Stay home!

As much as you can, do stay home and only go out if it is necessary. However, if you need to go outside to collect your essentials or to attend to your duties, maintaining a safe distance of at least a meter between yourself and others is the go-to trick to decrease the chances of contracting the virus. As much as possible, avoiding direct contact with people is the way to go during this difficult time, so wearing masks is a must.

Germs are not for sharing.

Practicing good hygiene through washing your hands regularly is another great way of keeping ourselves and others safe from getting the virus from one person to the other. Covering your mouth and nose when you cough is also not only respectful and polite, but it also makes it less likely for droplets carrying potential diseases to spread.

Don’t go out just yet.

Even though the quarantines have eased up a little bit, it’s still not safe to go outside as the pandemic is still ongoing. Planning to catch up with a friend in a mall or inviting a couple of friends over for a small get together? Try rethinking those plans and opt to meet through an online video conferencing app instead, because the less contact you have with other people, the better it is for everyone.

Self-isolation is a solution.

Experiencing symptoms of the new coronavirus, got exposed to COVID-positive patients, or visited a place with a huge spike in COVID-19 numbers? Well, choosing to self-isolate may be the best way to go to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to other family members. You can also seek medical attention even when experiencing mild symptoms of the virus such as cough, mild fever, and headaches. The recommended length for self-isolation is at least 2 weeks, but you can extend as long as needed until you are feeling better.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

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Author
Ian Bartolome
Editor-in-Chief