What to do to protect yourself from the coronavirus
t’s just a matter of time before the coronavirus spreads further, say officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They don’t know if the outbreak will be mild or severe, but are recommending Americans plan for major disruptions in their daily lives and take steps to prevent transmission.
Preliminary reports suggest the disease kills between 1% and 3% of those it infects, but most people sickened have mild symptoms, with older patients and those with underlying health conditions most at risk from the disease.
There is no vaccine and no proven treatment for this new virus and the respiratory disease it causes, officially named COVID-19.
But experts say common-sense measures – and the same steps you would take to avoid other respiratory illnesses like the flu — are key to preventing getting sick from coronavirus.
Here are seven steps to protect yourself and your family:
1. Wash your hands frequently.
It’s a top tip because it works. The problem is that many people fail to correctly wash their hands. Here’s how to do it: Wet your hands and lather with soap. Get the backs of your hands and between your fingers. Scrub for at least 20 seconds. (Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end, twice). Rinse hands. Dry with towel or let them air dry. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
2. Get a flu shot.
Avoiding the flu means you won’t take up resources at a hospital in the event of a coronavirus outbreak. The flu shot won’t protect people from this new virus, but it will help protect people from getting the flu, and the flu is what people are more likely to catch now.
3. General public should not wear masks.
The CDC doesn’t recommend face masks as a preventive measure because most are too loose to be effective, and they can provide a false sense of security.
Experts agree it’s a good idea for those who are sick to wear one, as it can reduce the chances of infecting others.
They are critical for health care workers. The most effective are N95 masks, which are designed to block 95% of very small particles.
4. Germ management
Symptoms of the coronavirus appear within 2 to 14 days after expsure and can include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
If you must cough or sneeze, cough into a tissue and throw the tissue into the trash. If you don’t have tissues handy, the next best thing is to cough into the inside of your elbow.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body.
Keep surfaces in your home clean. High-touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and bedside tables. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool or bodily fluids on them. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions.
5. Stay home if you’re sick
Stay home if you feel sick. If you have a fever, cough and/or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call your health care facility before visiting. Local and national authorities will have the most up-to-date information. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the appropriate location. This will also protect you and help prevent the spread of viruses and other infections.
6. Put together a plan
Start by talking with family members about how to take care of each other, discuss emergency preparations with neighbors and investigate resources such as food and meal delivery services in case you can’t go out for food, the CDC and others advise. Bookmark websites for reliable sources of information, such as your local health department and the CDC. Parents may want to contact their child’s school or visit its website to learn how plans for early dismissals or online instruction would be implemented.
Dr. José Cordero, the head of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department at the University of Georgia recommends families and friends discuss emergency contingency plans for helping each other with everything from child care to meal sharing. Other things to discuss:
■ Consider options for working from home, if possible.
■ Get copies of any health records you may need.
■ Pick a room that could be used to separate a sick person from the rest of the family.
7. Food and medicine
How much food should you have on hand? The advice varies. CDC’s guidance for general emergency preparedness says at least a three-day supply. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends two weeks and Harvard University experts suggest two weeks to 30 days.
“You may not be able to get to a store, or stores may be out of supplies, so it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand,” the Harvard site says.
That means nonperishable and ready-to-eat foods. Consider special needs such as allergies, medical conditions such as diabetes, babies who might need ready-to-feed formula and toddlers who might need shelf-stable milk.
Former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden advises having a threemonth supply of important medications, such as those for diabetes and high blood pressure. There is a risk that the supply chain for some medications could be interrupted, causing shortages, he explained.
Don’t forget other health supplies, such as over-the-counter pain relievers and stomach remedies.