REMEMBER BASICS

The arrival of the first batch of vaccines might give people a false sense of security that Covid-19 is no longer a threat.

That line of thought is both wrong and unfortunate. Moreso because government yesterday announced that 61 percent of the Covid-19 prevailing in the country is the South African variant for which there is no vaccine yet.

This means we all still have a role to play to curb the COVID-19 pandemic as the battle is far from being won.

We still need to go back to the basics to stop this global pandemic in our locality.

From a Zimbabwean perspective there are things that we need to monotonously remind each other of in order to prevent the disease from spreading within our borders.

First and foremost, to help stop Covid-19, one must know the signs and symptoms of the disease.

This helps because knowing these means if you develop a fever, start coughing, experience shortness of breath, you know you could be suffering from Covid-19 and will take preventive measures.

You will also know that if you have been in contact with a sick person exhibiting the aforementioned signs and symptoms, you could be a victim and you will take the necessary precautions.

You will go to the health professionals that will assist you and you will take precautions to avoid spreading the virus.

If you have been in close contact with a person known to have Covid-19 or live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of Covid19, call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room. Tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

The general population must know the importance of preventing this spreading virus. Even more importantly, we must know HOW to prevent Covid-19.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

These are precautions we have to take and turn into habitual traits.

The good thing about these precautions is they serve to protect us not just from coronavirus but from many other communicable diseases like typhoid, cholera, dysentery etcetera and from other diseases like the common flu.

So even after the Covid-19 pandemic is contained and no longer a threat, these are habits that we have to develop and always practice.

Practicing good hygiene should be habitual.