How to Protect Yourself from Coronavirus Infection

Updated on April 17, 2020

The pandemic is sweeping the nation, disrupting the daily lives of many individuals, as well as business operations. During the midst of the coronavirus, many people are left wondering how they can protect themselves from becoming infected. While the virus is being constantly studied, there are ways that you can currently help to prevent yourself from getting the virus.

Wash Your Hands Frequently and For The Recommended Length of Time

Placing your hands under some running water for a few seconds is simply just not enough to be considered engaging in preventative measures. The National Public Radio has outlined the importance of having access to clean water for handwashing. It is recommended to wash your hands for at least twenty seconds with warm soapy water. This is about the same length of time it will take you to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice. Doing this will help you wash away any germs that you might have picked up. You will want to wash your hands more frequently throughout the day. That way, when you come into contact with your face or food, you have clean hands.

Keep Your Hands Away From Your Face

One of the ways that the virus can spread is by individuals touching an infected surface or coming into contact with the virus and then touching their face. Your eyes, nose, and mouth are all gateways into your body. You need to try to protect these gateways as much as you can. Washing your hands frequently can help to keep your fingers clean. You may also choose to wear a face mask to help keep yourself from touching your face.

If You Feel Sick, Stay Home

To help prevent the spread of the virus, it is recommended by the CDC that if you feel sick, you should try to stay home. This will limit areas, as well as people, that you will come into contact with when you are sick. You can always call your doctor and get their advice on what you should do moving forward or if you should schedule an appointment to go in. Underlying health conditions can often cause complications in those that are experiencing the virus, so a doctor’s recommendation is always advised.

Limit Social Interactions Face to Face

The more people that you come into contact with, the higher your risk for contracting the virus becomes. The less people you come into contact with, the better. Limit your face to face social interactions unless it is absolutely necessary. This means not having gatherings at your home or attending any parties. However, this does not mean that you have to cut out social interaction altogether. Call your friends, video-chat with your family, or converse with those you live with. This will help you to feel more at ease. If you are looking for more information on how to prepare for the outbreak, head over to this article.

Avoid Crowds

While there are strict “stay home” orders for some areas, other areas have open businesses. Even if it is only recommended that you engage in “essential travel”, there will come a time when you need to venture out to get things you need. When and if you must travel, you will want to avoid crowds as much as you can. The virus can spread person to person, so it is recommended to stand at least six-feet away from another person.

Clean Surfaces Often

The most touched areas in your home should be cleaned frequently. Research is still being conducted on how long the virus can survive on certain surfaces. But, it would be helpful to clean the surfaces that are most touched as frequently as you can. This would include door knobs, light switches, drawer pulls, and faucets. Cleaning these high-trafficked areas can help to limit the spread of the virus.

In these times of uncertainty, it can feel overwhelming and challenging. However, we are all going through these changing tides together. The more we do to help ourselves and each other come out on the other side, the better off we will be. Taking proper safety precautions can help you to slow the spread of coronavirus and help to protect you from contracting the virus.

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.