Where the whole world is fighting with the new coronavirus COVID-19, WHO has declared Novel coronavirus as an epidemic and urges countries to take action against it.

The condition seems to be very critical and spreading rapidly among the 199 countries and territories. As of now, there are around 7,00,000 cases (repidly changing) of coronavirus all over the world as per Worldometer.

Also, it has claimed over 33,500 lives (repidly changing), mostly threatening Europe and Asia. Countries like China and Italy have come up with the increasing number of cases and even deaths.

Coronavirus in India

The first case was found in January when a student from Wuhan university has returned to Kerala. 

At present, 1071 COVID-19 patients (repidly changing) are there across the different states in India including foreign nationals. Furthermore, a total of 29 deaths was reported from the major states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka and Punjab.

Consider coronavirus statistics of all states in India  

These numbers are rising rapidly and if we don’t be aware, a mass explosion of cases will happen for which India is not well-equipped to handle.

India’s Government and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare are constantly monitoring the situation and taking initial steps for quarantine and isolation facilities as well as to scale up the response to detect, treat and reduce transmission.

The “Janata Curfew”

In fact, while addressing the nation on this viral pandemic on Thursday, PM Modi has urged people to stay home on 22^nd March, Sunday from 7 Am to 9 PM.

In an attempt to contain the heavy spread of coronavirus in the country, he requested all citizens to follow “Janata Curfew” and avoid public places exposure, especially children and elder people.

Moreover, he appealed employers to not cut the pay of working people and allow them to work from home. The prime minister has assured that all home essential supplies will not stop and hence don’t do panic buying.

Additionally, people are said to express their gratitude and encourage people who are doing essential services such as medical and airport staff at 5 PM from their balcony, door or windows.

The major public spots like schools, colleges, theatres, malls and shopping areas have been shut down until an update from government.

How to protect yourself from the COVID-19

Currently, India is between stages 2 and 3 which can be traced and stopped. While, in most other countries like Italy and China, the thing has worsened.

As of now, there is no cure for this infectious virus. Most people may catch an infection, become mild ill and recover. Though, it can be severe for others.

When we cannot do much regarding this outbreak, we can definitely take care of our health and protect others. The best way is to not being exposed to this virus.

Take the following simple precautions of Do’s and Don’ts as below to fight against the coronavirus and break the contagious chain:

Do’s

Wash your hands often

Wash your hands often. It is a very important and key point to prevent coronavirus.

A Virus can transmit from person to person and when an infected person coughs or sneezes, it infects everything in close contact. They can be elevator buttons, a parcel or anything.

And, if you touch those surfaces and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes, the virus has contaminated you as well.

Therefore, It’s better to clean your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Scrub between fingers, the back, under your nails and rinse!

Though it should also be done after using the restroom, before eating or preparing foods, contact with animals or public places as well as blowing the nose, coughing or sneezing.

You can even use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available to you. This habit will kill the viruses that may be on your hands.

Cover while sneezing and coughing

Usually, coronavirus transmits through the respiratory droplets of an infected person. So you understand how it’s vital to maintain good hygiene.

Therefore, make sure you cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing by tissue or handkerchief. If none of these are near you, use your bent elbow but surely not into the hands.

Moreover, throw the used tissue immediately in covered trash and wash your hands properly. Don’t place them where they can be exposed to others.

If someone is ill or having a cough or fever, maintain at least 1-meter distance form that person. Too much closeness can transfer the virus from their person’s droplets to yours.

Maintain social distancing

Social distancing is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from the contagious coronavirus outbreak.

The reason behind this is, if the person is infected somehow and you’re in close contact, you’re at the risk of a virus.

Many times possible that a person doesn’t have any travel history but is a family member of a person who just came back from abroad. Or, was in contact with the person or place where the affected person has traveled so far.

In that case, it is very crucial to maintain a sufficient distance of about 3 feet or better 6 feet from the sick person.

Avoid gathering in groups, events or parties. If possible, stay home and don’t involve in non-essential travels.

If the event like a wedding cannot be postponed, it is advisable to keep minimum guests. Though, it’s always better to quiet the gathering.

While greeting, it’s better to do “Namaste” than a handshake!

Work from home

Some companies allow employees to work from home. So use that facility and work from home for your company.

Employees who are sick or have an ill family member should not return to work until you’re not given a clean check by health authorities.

Those whose job is like they have to go to the company, should consider bringing N99 mask and sanitizer with them.

However, companies need to develop a healthy work environment by regular cleaning and disinfecting the office surfaces and employees’ working places.

If you find yourself sick during a working day, voluntarily keep yourself isolated and inform higher authorities and health care workers.

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Stay home if you’re sick

Don’t you think it’s our duty to save our loved ones and other people from getting ill? That’s what exactly you need to do if you are not feeling good in this situation.

Stay home if you’ve cough, fever or difficulty in breathing. Seek medical attention and isolate yourself from others, even family members. Do not leave home except for medical care.

Furthermore, do not use public transportation. This can spread the infectious virus and others will catch an infection.

Keep the utensils to serve separate and wash them with hot water with gloves. Clothes need to be washed with Dettol and hot water properly.

Please wear a face mask if you go to give them food or any required thing. Possibly, do not share common household things with them. 

See a doctor if you feel unwell

The time you see developing cough, fever, short breathing or sore throat, see a doctor promptly as this may be a mild viral or other serious condition.

Making a call in advance can stop things from deteriorating and the right health care can stop further damage.

Before visiting a clinic, call your doctor and tell them about your symptoms. They will guide you on what to do next and be ready to protect themselves and other patients.

Your doctor will examine you and see if a COVID-19 test is required. If not, you may leave home continuing basic precautions.

Clean and disinfect

As I have specified earlier, there is not only one way for contagious coronavirus. Anything, a parcel, doorknob, window, train seats, bus handles anything can have a virus on their surfaces.

In that case, routine cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces becomes more essential. This includes tables, switches, handles, remote controls, desks, phone, keyboard, toilets, faucets, doorknobs, etc.

Clean the area with household detergents or cleaners and then disinfectants. If the item is washable, use the warm water or disinfectant to dry it completely.

Do not touch dirty laundry with hands. Use gloves. And, if you need to touch, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water!

Boost your immune system

The best defense against the new illness is a person itself, a very inner and strong way to defeat coronavirus. Let me explain to you how.

Our body has an immune system to fight off any new outsider bacteria or virus. If we do have a strong enough immune system, we hardly get ill and if so, recover soon.

Let’s focus on being healthy and developing a good healthy routine. Start eating healthy and engaging in a good exercise routine every day. These habits are not just to beat the current scenario only, but also for life improvements.

Allow yourself to sleep well and take rest. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and grab essential vitamins and nutrients.

There are even a few drinks like warm water + honey + lemon to boost your immune system. Try them out!

Don’t panic

You may don’t know that stress can weaken our immune system and hence the fighting ability too. Not only this, but stress can also do several other damages to your mind and body.

Also, well said, you need to take care of your mental health for fit n fine body. So, being overly-anxious is not a solution to the virus.

Instead, look at the things that are in your control by which you can stop the infection. Limit the information sources putting you in worry. Focus on different enjoyable things you can do indoor.

Spend time with family, watch out a movie on your own home theatre or play cards. Do whatever soothe your mind and thoughts. All you just need to do is be aware, not extremely worried…

Don’ts

Visiting crowded places

Risk of getting the COVID-19 virus increases when you are surrounded by crowds such as public transit, shopping malls, theatres, festivals or events.

The virus is spread by the close contact of one person with another. Hence, Don’t go to places where there are more than 5 people.

Touching your hands, eyes and nose with unwashed hands

Often we touch our face with our hands. That’s the terrible thing we can do to invite this virus.

You may not have an idea which and when you have touched any infectious surface and with that hand, you are touching your face.

Never make contact with unwashed hands to the face. Coronavirus can straightly affect those parts. First, carefully wash your hands before or after doing anything.

Unnecessary outing

Some may have a misinterpretation of going outside and not catching the virus. That’s the illusion. If you’re doing unnecessary outing, stop it there.

Not necessarily, people with COVID-19 will show symptoms instantly. The symptoms period is of 2-14 days and within that time, an infected person might have visited any places, which are also now infected.

Now, you go out and come with a virus and you may not know about that. You live with your family and that virus affects them too.

If it’s not an emergency, please carefully stay home and don’t do unwanted traveling.

Shaking hands or hugging

Everywhere now a trend is there to shake hands and even giving hugs. Well, That’s a nice way to greet people but not with the coronavirus.

For example, a person sneezed in an elevator and then press a floor button. Next, another person gets in and presses the same button. So, the virus is in his hand. Now, you don’t know and did shake hands with that person, what will happen? Exactly.

Consuming raw or uncooked animal products

If you’re consuming animal products like milk, raw meat or any other products that are uncooked with direct contact, it can cause cross-contamination.

Maybe the market from where you are buying is not cleaned, in that case, chances increases for you to receive a virus.

In the End

true, coronavirus has become pandemic now and requires us to be extra alert. Though, together with the stated Do’s and Don’ts tips, we can stop this virus from circulating into a huge population.

Remain calm, don’t get panic. Follow the health care guidelines and if mandatory, go to a doctor and do as per the guidance. We just need to keep our immune system strong and thorough cleaning of surfaces as well as ourselves.

Be healthy and safe!