The current COVID-19 outbreak is a very worrying time for everybody. People are concerned about their jobs, education, money, futures, and especially their health. It is an even greater concern for those who have been listed as vulnerable people by the government, such as the elderly and those with health conditions e.g. people suffering from cancer. This left me wondering, how can we really stay safe during the outbreak and prevent ourselves from catching coronavirus?

 

Firstly, the most prominent and effective thing you can do to prevent yourself and others from catching coronavirus is to self-isolate. Self-isolation not only prevents you from coming into contact with others and catching the disease but simultaneously prevents you from possibly spreading it if you are infections. 

 

Secondly, take care when receiving online orders or going shopping. Coronavirus has been found to live on inanimate objects, so you could still catch it from touching contaminated items and then touching your eyes, face, or mouth. Therefore, it is a good idea to treat all objects as if they were contaminated and to take care when dealing with the packaging of food and other deliveries.

 

Thirdly, it is a good idea to wear masks when out, as they have been found to help to prevent the spread of coronavirus between an infected person and someone who isn't infected. 

 

Fourthly, and perhaps the most important of all, is to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. Whenever you have been out, or have touched objects or surfaces that could possibly be contaminated, you must wash your hands thoroughly- preferably with antibacterial soap to kill any germs. It has been recommended by the government that you should wash your hands for 30 seconds, or for as long as it takes you to sing the 'happy birthday' song. By doing this, you prevent passing germs onto other objects and from contracting the disease if you touch your face. If you don't have the facilities to wash your hands nearby, it is recommended that you use an antibacterial hand gel instead. 

 

Lastly, it is important that everyone follows the lockdown rules and government recommendations in regards to staying safe during lockdown, as this is the fastest way to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases and the number of people contracting it.

 

By Kira Aspland