You’ve gotten the basics down: you’re wearing your mask, avoiding crowds, and keeping your distance from friends and family. But you likely still have questions. Does wearing a mask protect you, others, or both? How exactly will physical distancing help?
What can I do to protect myself and others from COVID-19?
The following actions help prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as other coronaviruses and influenza:
- Wear a face mask.
- Maintain at least six feet/2 metres of distance between yourself and others.
- Avoid large gatherings.
- Socialize outdoors.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Minimize touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the bin.
- Clean frequently touched objects and surfaces regularly.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Get vaccinated as soon as you are eligible.
Do the protective measures work?
The chart above illustrates how protective measures such as limiting travel, avoiding crowds, social distancing, and thorough and frequent handwashing can slow down the development of new COVID-19 cases and reduce the risk of overwhelming the health care system.
What do I need to know about washing my hands effectively?
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; and after handling anything that’s come from outside your home.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
- Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- The CDC’s handwashing website has detailed instructions and a video about effective handwashing procedures.
How does coronavirus spread?
Coronavirus spreads mainly from person to person. This can happen between people who are in close contact with one another. Droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes may land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, or possibly be inhaled into their lungs.
A person infected with coronavirus — even one with no symptoms — may emit aerosols when they talk or breathe. Aerosols are infectious viral particles that can float or drift around in the air for up to three hours. Another person can breathe in these aerosols and become infected with the coronavirus. This is why everyone should wear a mask when they go out in public.
If I want to visit friends and family, does it matter whether we meet indoors or outdoors?
You are better off meeting friends and family outdoors. We know that coronavirus spreads when someone breathes in virus that an infected person emits through coughs or sneezes, or when they talk or breathe. Research has shown that in a confined, laboratory setting, droplets containing viral particles can remain afloat for 8 to 14 minutes. Smaller infectious viral particles, called aerosols, can drift around in the air even longer.
Outdoors, air currents are more likely to scatter and dilute the virus, making transmission less likely than in a home, office, or other confined space with limited air circulation. Even outdoors, however, it’s important to maintain a physical distance of at least six feet (2 meters) and wear a mask, to reduce the risk even further.
Coronavirus also spreads when a person touches a contaminated surface and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth. If you are participating in an outdoor gathering, bring your own foods, drinks, plates, cups and utensils.
Useful sources & Information:
Some of the information sourced for this article was originally published by Harvard and the CDC. If you would like to access this and further information in more detail please follow the links below and for the latest information about the COVID-19 guidelines in your area always refer to the .Gov site –
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/preventing-the-spread-of-the-coronavirus
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
How can Care first help?
If you feel you may need some emotional or practical support, you can contact Care first on the Freephone number. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. Whilst our BACP accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to provide support with emotional issues, our expertly trained Information Specialists are available 8am-8pm Monday-Friday to provide advice on any practical issues that may be causing you a stress or worry and help you feel more in control of a situation.
All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.
You can join our live webinar titled ‘The Importance of adhering to COVID guidelines’ on Friday 7th May at 12pm. Please use the following link to register your attendance:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2044127770433595152
If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.