It has become somewhat of a cliche to mention that we live in unprecedented times, but it’s true. A pandemic occurs once every century, so it is no wonder that this particular moment feels especially precarious, and has become extraordinarily taxing on us all, taking a toll on both our nerves and overall well-being.
As frightening as it is, you can find comfort in the fact that there are certain measures that you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. The simplest modifications in your day to day behavioural patterns can make all the difference, so it pays to try to be more mindful of your actions. Here are a few key tips to keep you safe during the pandemic.
Maintain good personal hygiene
This is perhaps one of the best ways to protect yourself from COVID-19: wash your hands. There’s so much that remains unknown about this virus, but the main thing we can guarantee is that it spreads in the air via respiratory droplets, which are typically emitted when another person coughs or sneezes. Or, you can touch a surface that has been infected – the virus can survive for at least a few hours on some surfaces – thus carrying virus particles from your hands to your mouth, nose, or eyes. The best precautionary measure to take is to wash your hands thoroughly and as often as possible. Also, be sure not to touch your face without washing your hands first, especially when you’re outside, and cover your face whenever you sneeze or cough to stop the spread.
Wear a mask
It can’t be said enough; wearing a mask can help protect so many people from the virus, and lower the number of infections and deaths considerably. In the early days of the pandemic, masks were in short supply everywhere, but you can find them widely available nowadays with a quick online search. Visit MyBiosource to learn more about the history of pandemics.
The experts at DMB Supply recommend wearing masks with a breathable filter that can block out different kinds of detrimental particles effectively. Just be sure that you wear the mask properly; too many people wear them draped under their nose, which is not effective. A mask needs to cover both your nose and your mouth in order to be effective. For extra protection, you can also look into wearing a face shield to protect your eyes and face as well.
Clean surfaces
It is important to wipe down all the surfaces in your home repeatedly. While the virus is spread mainly from person to person, COVID can still theoretically move from one surface to another, which you will then touch, thus contracting it fairly quickly. It is best to disinfect everything and ensure that all the surfaces in your home are clean, especially when bringing bags of groceries from outside, for example. This is one safety measure that should not be skipped.
As per the health experts’ predictions, COVID-19 is likely not going anywhere for at least another year, which is why you’ll want to take whatever precautionary measures you can until an effective vaccine is developed. We already know that these methods work, so try your best to abide by them to help minimise the spread of the virus and keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
Tommy Williamson did his degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. He has an ongoing interest in mental health and well-being.
