Empty streets; empty parking lots; fast-moving ambulances; terrified doctors and nurses; sick people being denied treatments; deaths, deaths, and more deaths. This was life in Liberia during the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, now it’s Corona! The big question that everybody keeps asking is, “How can we save ourselves?”
The World Health Organization declared the corona virus a global pandemic, meaning it has spread and affected a huge portion of the world?s population from diverse geographical localities. This means that there?s no seeking refuge in another country. Almost all the countries in the world are on lockdown, leaving us with only one option, practicing WHO’s preventive measures which are as follow:
Wash your hands frequently
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash them with soap and water.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers kills viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain social distancing
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes, they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain viruses. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
Avoid large gatherings
Stay away from gatherings of more than 10 people.
Why? It is much harder to practice social distancing in a clustered group of people. Avoiding large gatherings, i.e. an extreme step to increase social distancing, is one the main measures that have worked to get transmission under control, or at least to bend the curve, in countries like China and South Korea.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Why? 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 and can make you sick.
Practice respiratory hygiene
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Why? Droplets spread viruses, as I said earlier. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
Stay home if you feel unwell
If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early.
Why? If you have any of the above symptoms, the best option for you and those around you is to self isolate and then seek medical care. That way, you can test yourself to confirm if you have the virus and lower the chances of you spreading that virus to someone else. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
Follow the directions of your local health authority.
Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.
It is for the good of our whole nation that I’m asking everyone to follow these precautions. I understand that not all of us can choose to work from home and practice absolute self isolation, but if we all take the precautions our works and lives can permit us to take, we’ll be one step closer to ending this pandemic. If not for yourselves, do it for your parents, grandparents, family and friends who are simply older or have underlying health conditions. We have to keep each other safe. This is a war on Coronavirus and we’re all being called to take up arms. Have my back and I’ll have yours.
Stay safe, everyone. See you on the other side.
Authored by Reuben E. Rambo
Featured Picture by Kin
