COVID-19 basics: What you should know to protect yourself and others

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KNOW ABOUT COVID 19: The virus that causes COVID-19 has spread throughout the world. The disease has infected 11.8 million confirmed cases, with 544,000 deaths as of July 8, 2020, according to WHO data. COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild (or no symptoms) to severe illness. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Image Credit: File

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HOW COVID-19 SPREADS: COVID-19 is primarily spread from person to person, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance. Is spreads between people who are in close contact with one another. You can become infected by coming into close contact (about 6 feet or two arm lengths) with a person who has COVID-19. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, tou can become infected from respiratory droplets. You may also be able to get it by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then by touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. Image Credit: File

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PERSON-TO-PERSON SPREAD: COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Image Credit: Corbis

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DROPLETS: These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms. There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. Image Credit: Screengrab / NHK

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PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS: The best way to protect yourself is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. Stay home as much as possible and avoid close contact with others. Image Credit: Gulf News

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PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING: Whenv possible, buy groceries and medicine, go to the doctor, and complete banking activities online when possible. • f you must go in person, stay at least 6 feet away from others and disinfect items you must touch. • Get deliveries and takeout, and limit in-person contact as much as possible. Image Credit: Gulf News

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PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS FROM COVID-19: Wear a cloth face covering that covers your nose and mouth in public settings. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit. Throw used tissues in the trash. Image Credit: Reuters

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ADULTS WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS: Everyone is at risk of getting COVID-19. CDC experts say that Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing serious complications from more severe COVID-19 illness. Image Credit: Supplied

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WHEN AROUND OTHERS: You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick. The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected. Everyone should wear a cloth face cover in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Image Credit: AFP

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KNOW YOUR RISK FOR SEVERE ILLNESS: Everyone is at risk of getting COVID-19. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. Image Credit: AFP

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OUTSIDE YOUR HOME: Children wearing protective face masks and shields attending pre-school classes in Singapore. It is important to put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household. Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus. Image Credit: Reuters

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KNOW YOUR MEDICAL CONDITION: Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for moresevere illness. Jose Maria Leon, 77, wears a protective face shield as he stands on the balcony of his flat, next to a dressed mannequin and a sign that reads "I stay at home", during the coronavirus disease outbreak, in Ronda, southern Spain, April 3. Image Credit: AP

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MASK IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING: Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing. Do not use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker. Image Credit: Reuters

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WASH HANDS OFTEN: Security guards in Lahore, Pakistan, wash hands as safety precautions to keep themselves safe from coronavirus. It is important to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Image Credit:

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WHEN TO WASH HANDS: A woman wearing a protective mask washes her hands at a hand-washing station in Haiti. It’s especially important to wash before eating or preparing food, before touching your face, after using the restroom, after leaving a public place, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, after handling your cloth face covering, after changing a diaper, after caring for someone sick, and after touching animals or pets. Image Credit: Reuters

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SANITIZER WITH 60% ALCOHOL: If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Image Credit: Stock image

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BE ALERT FOR SYMPTOMS: Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19. Monitoring is especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet. Take your temperature if symptoms develop. Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking temperature-lowering medications. One study shows cough droplets can travel at 80 km/h, the running speed of a lion, though slower than cheetah’s 93 km/h. Image Credit: Gulf News / Jay Hilotin

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