Over the past six months, “we will never be the same” and “the world will never be the same” have often been heard, but to understand what these phrases mean, you need to understand what was “before” and what changes are taking place in the identity. Now it is impossible to predict what it will become, but it is possible to record a number of significant changes in our behavior. These changes are likely to lead to changes in self-perception, leave traces in our psyche and affect our behavior.
For many people, a significant consequence of the epidemic was losing a built-up image of the future and a sense of control over life.
The epidemic and quarantine measures have made the issue of borders urgent. And if the issue of geographical borders was temporarily resolved for us, then we have to deal with personal barriers on our own. For example, how to behave when meeting a friend or colleague? Should I hug? Should I shake hands? And if this is a close friend or relative and you want to hug, you can, or still, refrain?
A friendly meeting is now more often a walk at a respectable distance, but if social distance does not change the essence of friendship, then the world of quarantine dating has turned into a journey through a minefield. Meet or talk on zoom? Where was this man before he met you? Does he use a sanitizer? Does he wash his hands? Is it possible to sit on a bench nearby or sit there, keeping a distance? Is it necessary to ask whether the vis-a-vis was ill or impolite, like many questions about health? What’s next?
When the pandemic first began around the world, the coronavirus forced people to empty supermarket shelves; consumer panic at that time swept Europe, Asia, America, and Australia. So, in the United States, the demand for hygiene masks increased by 221 %, for medical respirators — by 428 %, for sanitizers by 20 %. But the most surprising thing was that Americans decided to stock up on oat milk — the demand for it jumped by 441 %. Australians especially bought a lot of toilet paper. The Japanese not only buy toilet paper but also stole rolls from the restrooms in the cafe.
A great time for those who, even in their “former” life, did not like to touch strangers and hardly experienced the need for handshakes and hugs. Now you can do without it officially. And a terrible time for kinesthetics and lovers of tactile contact — another person suddenly becomes a source of” infection”, danger and anxiety.
The transition of work and study to online
Another task that was quickly solved with the introduction of self-isolation was the organization of work from home. The meeting of two realities — home and office-did does not go smoothly for everyone, and the first weeks of mass removal gave rise to many memes about those who come to meetings without pants, not combed, or with a view of mountains of unwashed dishes in the background. Together with the remote access and the opportunity not to waste time on the road, we got colleagues at our home. Access to the house was granted to everyone without exception, even to those in other life circumstances we would never have called to our house.
The epidemic and self-isolation also affect how we interact with the body and how we treat it: wash our hands more often and wash after coming from the street, do not touch the face, sneeze in the elbow — this is taught even at the “official level.” These rules have an unexpected side effect: doctors worldwide report a decrease in the number of intestinal infections and dysentery cases, and taxi drivers note that passengers now rarely ozonize the air with the aroma of working overalls they worked for a week. Many also began to listen more carefully to any bodily symptoms, fearing to identify each virus’s” manifestation. On the one hand, there are many advantages to this; an attentive attitude to health is something new for the average resident who is used to the “pain and pass” approach. But on the other hand, careful listening to yourself is incredibly rocking the already high level of anxiety created by all the influencing factors.
How to reduce the risk of infection?
To minimize the risks of infection, each person should carefully familiarize themselves with all reliably known information about the disease. The coronavirus is spread through droplets that form when an infected person coughs or sneezes. In addition, it can spread through contaminated surfaces, such as door handles. After touching them, it remains to touch the eyes, mouth, or nose to expose yourself to disease risk. At the moment, it is known that the maximum incubation period of the disease is about 14 days.
If you feel any symptoms, go to the doctor soon:
- If you feel any symptoms of coronavirus, immediately contact your doctor, you may be given a referral to batavia medical supply.
No handshake or kiss on the cheeks:
- Even if it seems rude at first, refrain from shaking hands or other contact greetings. Remember, in the current situation, it is essential to try to avoid any physical contact.
Wash your hands frequently:
- Treat your hands with an alcohol-based cloth, or wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Pay special attention to this process before preparing and consuming food, as well as after returning home. Always wash your hands after using the toilet.
Disinfect your hands if you can’t wash them:
- Use different disinfectants, such as hydrox hand sanitizer
Ventilate the premises regularly:
- In closed rooms, the number of viruses in the air can increase dramatically. Regular ventilation of the room (three to four times a day for ten minutes) counteracts this and reduces the risk of infection. It also improves the indoor climate and prevents the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose from drying out.
Masks:
- By wearing a mask, you will help prevent the transmission of the virus from yourself to other people. Masks alone are not enough to protect against the COVID-19 virus. In addition to using masks, you should also observe a safe distance and hand hygiene rules. Follow the recommendations of your local health authorities.
Keep your distance and avoid the pandemonium:
- When coughing, keep as much distance from other people as possible. It must be at least 1 meter long. This way, you can avoid inhaling drops containing COVID-19 if the person next to you is infected.
At least some advantages
However, for some, this is an opportunity to reevaluate themselves and change the behavior strategy. Because we are people, we have minimal idea of how our population is divided, which is our social structure. This point is also essential because many people do not know their people, do not know who they are made of.
People need to understand that everything depends solely on them. After leaving the quarantine, there is no such thing that this awareness will disappear along with the isolation measures. People have bought dumbbells, kettlebells, vitamins. It seems that all these things are quiet every day. Still, people emphasize that the banalest and simple but at the same time the most important things are carried out individually, independently, as their own decision, as their willingness to take their lives into their own hands and, perhaps, to help their neighbor.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.