How to Protect Yourself and Loved Ones from COVID-19

Updated on March 3, 2021

The pandemic has been a stressful and difficult time for everyone, but particularly for those who work in healthcare. Professionals working in hospitals have experienced burnout, stress, and mental health difficulties due to the pressure of the pandemic. 

If you’re a healthcare professional you’ll know how important it is for the community to help by reducing their likelihood of catching COVID and passing it on to vulnerable people. Everyone must do their bit to prevent the spread of COVID-19. To help, we’ve put together a guide of ways you can reduce contact with the virus. 

Wash Your Hands

Everyone should be regularly washing their hands. Consider it the first thing you do when you get back from the shops. It is recommended that you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with anti-bacterial soap. Avoid touching your eyes with unwashed hands. If you’re caring for a loved one also wear medical vinyl gloves and throw them away after one use. 

Practice Social Distancing 

The virus spreads from person to person, so it’s essential to keep your distance of at least 2 metres. Stay at home and only shop when necessary to avoid contact with other people. Take the stairs rather than sharing a lift with a colleague or neighbour. Also, avoid public transport when you can walk or drive instead. 

Wear a Face Mask

A face mask can protect those around you if you sneeze, cough, talk or breathe and unknowingly have COVID-19. Respiratory droplets can come from your mouth and infect someone close by with coronavirus. It’s best to wear medical masks that have been proved to help reduce infection rates. However, many cloth masks are still more effective than wearing nothing at all.  

Avoid Infected Persons 

If someone in your household has contracted COVID-19 you should stay indoors even if you have tested negative. Try to keep your distance from the person who has COVID by asking them to stay in their rooms. Make sure to regularly wipe down surfaces, especially in communal places such as the bathroom. 

Try Not to Travel 

If your travel is not essential, then stay in your area. Avoid travelling to far away walks or visiting family in different areas. Any nonessential travel can be putting other people at risk, as you could unknowingly be spreading Coronavirus. FaceTime your friend instead of seeing them in person, and make it fun with different activities

Summary

If you are concerned that you have COVID symptoms such as a new continuous cough, fever, or/and loss in the change of smell or test then get a test and isolate until you receive your results. If you test positive follow professional advice.  

Now is a difficult time for everybody and it can be hard isolating in our homes, but by staying at home we’re helping healthcare professionals. If your mental health is suffering due to these restrictions seek help or bubble up with a friend. 

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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.