As many states continue to reopen businesses in phases the rate of COVID-19 cases seems to be on the rise as well. While the reopening of gyms, restaurants, and retail stores makes it feel like life has gone back to normal, public health experts warn that the pandemic is still a major concern as cities reopen during COVID. As we all begin patronizing more places, it is important to remain vigilant and follow certain safety precautions that can help reduce our chances of coming in contact with COVID-19:
- Wear a face masks: One of the most controversial topics during this pandemic is the effectiveness of facemasks. Recent studies have shown that facemasks can actually significantly reduce the number of infections, and so far it’s the most effective preventative measure.
- Social distance: Now that we are four months into this pandemic, many have heard about social distancing and staying six feet apart from others. Studies show that areas that encourage and enforce social distancing rules have a lower rate of infections, whereas areas that do not promote social distancing have 35 times more potential cases.
- Limit exposure to large crowds: With the continued phased re-openings of many businesses, large crowds are beginning to form and making it more difficult to contain the virus. Public health experts at the CDC have published considerations and information regarding the risks of large gatherings that everyone should look over before going out.
- Practice good Hygiene: Did you know that the average person touches their face about 23 hours a day? Touching your face specifically the mucosal surfaces like your nose, mouth, and eyes makes it easier to infect yourself with COVID-19. Constantly applying hand sanitizer or washing your hands longer than 20 seconds can help prevent possible contaminations.
- Be Proactive before leaving the house: If you plan on leaving your quarantine bubble to go to church, your favorite restaurant, or gym visit their website to read about their rules and safety practices. Many businesses now have occupancy limits and require customers to either wear a face mask and/or practice social distancing along with other specific rules for the safety of their employees and customers.
- Stay home when you can: If you have the luxury of working from home, take advantage of the opportunity most people don’t have. Public health experts highly advise people to stay home as much as possible in order to limit exposure to possible COVID-19 carriers and prevent spreading it to others.
- Take advantage of technology: What separates the COVID-19 pandemic from past ones like the Spanish flu is the use of modern technology. The many benefits of technology has made it possible to reduce exposure to possible COVID-19 carriers, and utilizing every aspect of technology can help reduce your chances of coming in contact with COVID-19. These aspects include remote work, online shopping, distance learning, telehealth visits, and being able to keep up to date with the latest information, along with socializing with friends and family remotely (through Zoom and FaceTime!)
- Boost your immune system: With many scientists and pharmaceutical companies racing for a cure, the best way to prepare our body for any possible illness is to have a strong immune system. Boosting your immune system helps our bodies naturally fight against infections and diseases (including COVID-19). To boost your immune system, visit our resources on the ten best ways and supplements to make your immune system stronger.
- Stay informed: A great way to stay ahead of this virus is to be up to date with the latest information from your local areas and places you may visit. Being informed about reliable information such as case counts, guidelines, and the dismissal of myths can help reduce possible exposure to COVID-19.
- Clean Consistently: With more and more people going out it’s so important to not only clean your hands with soap and water, but to also clean and disinfect your house consistently. When we return to our homes after being out we risk bringing certain germs into our homes and the survival rate of bacteria and viruses depends on the physical and chemical environment they are in. Consistently cleaning and disinfecting many high touch surfaces in your home can harm the environment germs live in, thus killing many types of bacteria and viruses.
