Choose a window seat, bring your hand sanitiser and maintain ‘social
WITH the global death toll heading towards 3,000 and almost 80,000 people infected, how can we protect ourselves from the spread of the virus known as Covid-19?
The World Health Organisation and other medical experts have issued guidelines for members of the public.
Maintain “social distancing” – and don’t kiss
Keep at least a metre (three feet) distance between yourself and other people, particularly those who are coughing, sneezing and have a fever. When someone who is infected with a respiratory disease, like Covid-19, coughs or sneezes they project droplets containing the virus. One virologist in the UK, Professor John Oxford, even warns to avoid kissing and hugging.
Choose a window seat Plane passengers are advised to take precautions to avoid infections when flying.
Citing a study in the journal ‘Clinical Infectious Diseases’, an article in ‘National Geographic’ warns that those in aisle seats have a greater likelihood of coming into contact with viruses due to the proximity of other passengers.
Window seat passengers had far fewer close encounters than people in other seats, averaging 12 contacts compared to the 58 and 64 respective contacts for passengers in middle and aisle seats.
Clean the tray table and avoid seat pockets Passengers are warned that the infectious zones on aircraft include tray tables, air vents, seatbelt buckles and seatback pockets.
With the fast turnaround of aircraft nowadays, airlines have little time to clean every surface. Use disinfectant wipes and hand sanitisers.
Be careful where you travel The Department of Foreign Affairs is advising Irish citi
zens to avoid travel to China and parts of Italy. Dr Graham Fry, of Dublin’s Tropical Medical Bureau, advises travellers to avoid non-essential travel to certain Asian countries.
Apart from China, the countries with the highest number of infections are Japan, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea and Malaysia. Dr Fry says: “The risk of infection is still low, but there is a risk of being quarantined. Don’t go to the cinema or get on a crowded bus.”
How to use a mask Dr Fry says: “Unless it is a proper filter mask, the standard masks that you see people wearing are of very little value in protecting you from someone else spreading the virus. If you use a mask it should be sealed and tight to the face.”
The WHO warns people using a mask to make sure they cover the nose and mouth. Avoid touching the mask once it’s on. Discard each single-use mask after use and wash hands.
Avoid touching your face Hands touch many surfaces which can be contaminated with the virus. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
Practise respiratory hygiene When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – discard the tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands. Covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing prevent the spread of germs.
Seek medical care early Tony Holohan, chief medical officer in the Department of Health, said: “Anyone who may have been in contact with a person who has Covid19, or who has been to mainland China in the last 14 days, is advised to contact HSE Live.
“If they are unwell with a cough, especially with respiratory symptoms (cough, high temperature, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever) they should isolate themselves and phone their GP immediately.”