Although the virus is new and unknown, various health authorities such as the World Health Organization (WHO) offer a series of suggestions to prevent contracting COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, as well as information to act responsibly regarding the virus.
Here we list 5 tips to avoid this new virus:
1. Wash your hand frequently
Like with the common cold, its necessary to wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with water and soap. If there is no water and soap at hand, use a hand sanitizer with a proportion of at least 60% alcohol. Repeat this practice frequently, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after coughing or sneezing.
2. Keep a safe distance
To reduce the risk of spreading, it’s recommended to keep a distance of one meter from someone who coughs, sneezes or has a fever.
3.Cover your mouth with your elbow or a tissue
If you sneeze or cough, it is best to do so into a tissue and then throw that tissue away immediately. If you don’t have a tissue, it is better to sneeze or cough into your elbow instead of your hand to avoid carrying those germs to other surfaces that you might touch later.
4. Follow the CDC recommendations about wearing masks
Masks are a tool for sick individuals to prevent spreading their sickness to others via their cough or sneeze. You can also wear one to prevent catching the sickness, but a mask isn’t as effective for this use.
5. Go to the doctor
We should go to the doctor is we have a fever, cough, or any difficulty breathing as such symptoms can develop into a respiratory infection or another serious illness. Nevertheless, if our respiratory symptoms are mild and we haven’t travelled anywhere recently (especially to China), it is best to stay home and until we recover, and meanwhile following the hygiene tips previously indicated.
In the virus prevention workshops of Nutty Scientists, the kids learn about viruses and bacteria. We teach them how they are spread and how important it is to have good hygiene in order to prevent catching them.
