essay on Covid-19 (prevention and safety)
Answers
Answer:
Scientists are still learning about COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, but according to the CDC, this highly contagious virus appears to be most commonly spread during close (within 6 feet) person-to-person contact through respiratory droplets.
“The means of transmission can be through respiratory droplets produced when a person coughs or sneezes, or by direct physical contact with an infected person, such as shaking hands,” says Dr. David Goldberg, an internist and infectious disease specialist at NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group Westchester and an assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The CDC also notes that COVID-19 can spread by airborne transmission, although this is less common than close contact with a person. “Some infections can be spread by exposure to virus in small droplets and particles that can linger in the air for minutes to hours,” the CDC states. “These viruses may be able to infect people who are further than 6 feet away from the person who is infected or after that person has left the space. These transmissions occurred within enclosed spaces that had inadequate ventilation.”
Finally, it’s possible for coronavirus to spread through contaminated surfaces, but this is also less likely. According to the CDC, “Based on data from lab studies on COVID-19 and what we know about similar respiratory diseases, it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this isn’t thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”
Answer:
Precautionary measures against COVID-19:
What to do to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19
Maintain at least a 1-metre distance between yourself and others to reduce your risk of infection when they cough, sneeze or speak. Maintain an even greater distance between yourself and others when indoors. The further away, the better.
Make wearing a mask a normal part of being around other people.
Here are the basics of how to wear a mask:
Clean your hands before you put your mask on, as well as before and after you take it off.
Make sure it covers both your nose, mouth and chin.
Here are some specifics on what type of mask to wear and when, depending on how much virus is circulating where you live, where you go and who you are.
Wear a fabric mask unless you’re in a particular risk group. This is especially important when you can’t stay physically distanced, particularly in crowded and poorly ventilated indoor settings.
Wear a medical/surgical mask if you:
Are over 60,
Have underlying medical conditions,
Are feeling unwell, and/or
Are looking after an ill family member.
For more public advice on masks, read our Q&A and watch our videos. There is also a Q&A focused on masks and children.
For health workers, medical masks are essential personal protective equipment when engaging with patients with suspected, probable or confirmed COVID-19. Respirator masks (such as FFP2, FFP3, N95, N99) should be used in settings where procedures generating aerosols are performed and must be fitted to ensure the right size is worn.
Avoid the 3Cs: spaces that are closed, crowded or involve close contact.
Outbreaks have been reported in restaurants, choir practices, fitness classes, nightclubs, offices and places of worship where people have gathered, often in crowded indoor settings where they talk loudly, shout, breathe heavily or sing.
The risks of getting COVID-19 are higher in crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected people spend long periods of time together in close proximity. These environments are where the virus appears to spreads by respiratory droplets or aerosols more efficiently, so taking precautions is even more important.
Meet people outside. Outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor ones, particularly if indoor spaces are small and without outdoor air coming in.
Protect yourself this flu season
• It is likely that both COVID-19 and flu viruses will spread this fall and winter. So, getting a flu vaccine during 2020-21 is more important than ever.
• While the flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, it has been shown to reduce the risk of getting the flu.
• In addition, getting a flu vaccine can free up health care resources for patients who need treatment for COVID-19.
Wash your hands frequently
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing or spending time in a public place.
• If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
• To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places—elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand, or use your finger if you must touch something.
• Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.
• Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
Avoid close contact
• If someone inside your home becomes sick, they should be tested for COVID-19. If they test positive, they should isolate from other household members.
• Outside your home, stay at least six feet away from people who don’t live in your household and wear a mask.
• Remember, some people don’t display symptoms of COVID-19 and may be able to spread the virus.
Cover your nose and mouth when around others
• Everyone should wear a mask or other face covering in public settings, especially when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
• Masks should completely cover both the nose and mouth.
• Remember that you could spread COVID-19 to others even if you don’t feel sick. The mask is meant to also protect other people in case you are infected.
• Continue to maintain six feet between you and others even while wearing a mask. The mask is not a substitute for social distancing.
Clean and disinfect
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (for example: cell phones, keyboards, doorknobs, light switches, etc.)
Explanation: