It’s important to remember not to panic about the spread of COVID-19, but it’s wise to be prepared in case your community is affected.
Following these tips will ensure you’re in the best position to cope amid the virus’ spread.
DO
Avoid close contact with sick people
Try to stay six feet away from anyone showing cold or flu-like symptoms.
Wash your hands regularly and properly
Read MiNDFOOD’s healthy hand-washing guide here. It’s important to remember to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Make sure you launder your hand towels regularly too.
Carry hand sanitiser
Make sure to have an alcohol-based hand sanitiser on hand and use it often. The product needs to contain at least 60 per cent alcohol.
Disinfect surfaces and objects
Clean the commonly-touched surfaces and objects in your office or home, which includes countertops, fridge handles, remote controls, shared computer surfaces and door handles. It’s also recommended you clean the surface of your phone regularly.
Stockpile food and household items
This mainly applies to regional areas that have only one grocery store. But having a month’s supply of non-perishable food on hand is advisable should any natural disaster strike. It would also pay to ensure you have any other household items you may need such as dish-washing detergent, soap or nappies if you have children.
Stockpile prescription medications
Concerns have been raised about medication supply chains being disrupted due to many prescriptions medicines being made in China. If you rely on medications, you should ensure you have stock for emergencies. Have a supply of over-the-counter medicines too.
Prepare your family
Keep you family up to date with any emergency plans. Stay in contact with your children’s schools regarding emergency protocols. Have a strategy in place for caring for any elderly relatives too.
DON’T stockpile face masks
It is not recommended for people who are well to wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases such as COVID-19. They should be used by people with symptoms of the coronavirus to prevent the spread of the disease to others. Stockpiling them may mean the people who most need to wear them are unable to get hold of them. People at the highest risk of infection need them. As US surgeon general Dr Jerome Adams noted on Twitter, if doctors, nurses and first responders don’t have enough of them, it puts them at risk.
https://twitter.com/Surgeon_General/status/1233725785283932160
DON’T panic
COVID-19 does present a public health concern, but it’s important to remember the majority of those who contract the coronavirus do not become seriously ill.
