The explosive surge in coronavirus cases has created a crisis on a scale that we have never faced before. Schools around the globe have canceled classes, airlines have canceled flights, and hundreds of thousands of businesses have shut down. The economy is at risk of enormous damage. Countries are closing borders and governments are encouraging their people to stay at home in a bid to halt the spread of the virus. Today, doing the things that we love to do is no longer possible. As we struggle to cope with the grim impact of the health crisis, many have been left anxious and in grief. The virus is aggressively spreading like wildfire. While we have seen massive efforts to break the chain of the pandemic and stop it from causing irreparable destruction, there is still no certainty of when we will be able to resume our normal lives. Since there is currently no vaccine or a complete cure for COVID-19, our top priority, for now, should be our health. Having coronavirus first aid training can also help.
Corona Virus Prevention Tips
At present, the most effective way to prevent the infection is to avoid exposure to the virus. Coronavirus is primarily spread from person-to-person usually through physical contact such as handshaking if the hands are contaminated with the droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person. While we are more likely to inhale the contaminated droplets through the mouth and nose, experts warned that they can also enter the eyes. It is also possible to contract the infection by touching objects and surfaces that have the virus in it like tabletops, desks, and doorknobs. Older people, especially those with serious underlying conditions, are more susceptible to the infection.
The most basic step to battle the virus is not to panic. When a crisis arises, our natural response is to panic. Panicking during difficult times can impede our ability to respond effectively. Hence, it is always important to stay calm. In the absence of an effective vaccine, the best thing we can do for now is prevention. Stay indoors, if possible, even if you don’t have an underlying illness and haven’t contracted symptoms to reduce your risk and protect other people. Do not attend social gatherings and look for opportunities to work from home. Since COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through infected droplets, exercising social or physical distancing is a good way to substantially reduce exposure to the virus and reduce the possibility of transmission. Moreover, to help curb the spread of the virus, people are encouraged to practice proper hand hygiene. Good handwashing helps get rid of the virus and stop it from spreading widely. Be sure to properly and frequently wash your hands and do not touch your face. When soap and water are not available, use a sanitizer that has at least 60 percent alcohol.
Corona Virus First Aid: Proper Precautions and Hygiene Practices
If someone in your home has tested positive or is suspected to have the virus and are potentially infectious, the first thing to do is to isolate that person. Isolation basically aims to contain the infection and prevent it from spreading. Place the sick person in a separate bedroom to reduce close contact with that person. He should also have his own designated bathroom to keep others from being exposed to contaminated surfaces. If it is not possible, limited the movement of the person within a certain area.
Wear Protection
Since COVID-19 is highly infections and can be easily and rapidly transmitted through human contact, it is imperatively necessary to be cautious and follow standard precautions when providing coronavirus first aid and care for people suspected with COVID-19. To avoid transmission, have the infected person wear a mask when he is around with other people. Avoiding close contact is also essential, so always try to maintain a distance of a least 6 feet from the infected person. If you are providing direct care to a patient with confirmed COVID-19 infection, wear appropriate personal protective equipment or PPE such as gloves, lab gown, masks, eye shield and other items that can help protect you from the virus. PPE is usually used when there is a high risk of exposure to infectious agents. Good hand hygiene plays a crucial role in controlling the circulation of the virus, therefore, before handling or putting any personal protective equipment, make sure to clean your hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer and wash your hands after providing patient care. Properly discard disposable personal protective equipment.
Food Preparation
When it comes to food preparation, good hygiene is also of crucial importance. Avoid sharing household items with the infected person. Provide the patient with his own set of utensils and do not let him come into close contact with shared food. When serving food for the patient, you may leave the food by the door. People battling infections may lose their appetite. While there is no single food known to cure the infection and there is no recommended diet for people who have contracted the virus, it is still important to give patients a healthy diet.
Cleanliness
Maintaining a clean and sanitized environment is also critical when providing coronavirus first aid. Viruses that lodge on unsanitary surfaces can be transmitted by touch and spread from person to person. Since coronavirus has the potential to linger on surfaces, the simple act of touching can put a person in danger of acquiring the dreaded infection. When cleaning frequently touched surfaces, use water and soap or an all-purpose cleaner. Cleaning removes dirt, viruses and other infectious microscopic organisms that have settled on your tabletops and other areas. However, it is not enough to adequately kill them. Therefore, always remember to disinfect. Use EPA-registered household disinfectants to disinfect dirty surfaces.
If someone in your family is suspected to have the virus, having COVID-19 first aid training courses can help you handle the situation calmly and effectively. However, if the infected person is showing severe symptoms, call a doctor immediately. Do not allow the person to leave the house to contain the virus and prevent it from spreading further.