Four Ways to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
April 3, 2020
As the number of positive novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continues to rise around the world, it’s important to understand the role we all play in slowing the spread of the disease. Practicing prevention eases the burden on the health care system and allows scientists time to develop a vaccine to protect us against the virus.
Since no vaccine is currently available, it is even more critical for everyone to follow state and federal orders for physical distancing and shelter-in-place directives and to stay tuned to recommendations from leading health experts such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
To properly practice prevention, we must first understand how COVID-19 spreads. According to the CDC, the virus spreads from person-to-person (i.e., when people are in close contact with one another) and through the spray of respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The CDC says the best way to prevent catching the illness is to avoid exposure. How do we do that, especially when people can carry the virus without showing symptoms? Let’s break down the steps:
1. Physical Distancing
What it means: This concept is well-named. Simply stay six feet away from other people if you must be in a public setting. This can be difficult, especially if you live in a heavily populated area where sidewalks and public services can be crowded. Before going out, ask yourself if the reason you need to be in public is worth the potential risk.
Why it helps: The CDC says when someone sneezes or coughs, small droplets can spray up to six feet. These droplets aren’t necessarily visible to the naked eye, so it’s a good idea to avoid a crowded grocery store aisle or anywhere you could potentially be caught in the crosshairs of a sneeze or cough.
Takeaway: It’s understandable to be upset because your cruise, sporting event or social gathering was canceled. But it is life-saving to practice physical distancing to help flatten the curve and ease the strain on the health care system’s staff and resources.
To learn more, read this article by National Public Radio (NPR).
2. Shelter in Place
What it means: As COVID-19 spreads throughout the U.S., state governors are responding by issuing shelter-in-place directives. In March, hundreds of thousands of Americans began self-quarantining and practicing physical distancing. Shelter-in-place orders can vary state to state, but they generally instruct citizens to stay home unless their job is considered essential. Examples of essential services can include those provided by the government, health care, insurance companies, grocery stores and pharmacies.
Why it helps: The fewer people you are around, the lower your risk of exposure. A government directive for people to stay home adds a sense of urgency to take COVID-19 seriously as an issue we all must face together.
Takeaway: If your state or city officials have issued a shelter-in-place order, minimize your public outings, including trips to the grocery store. A good tip is to leave the house with a plan, so you aren’t spending extra time in public. For example, put together a two-week meal plan and grocery list to quickly accomplish your grocery shopping.
Check out if your state is currently under a shelter-in-place order and what that means for you.
3. WHO Five
What it means: WHO put together a list of five steps to follow to prevent of slow the spread of COVID-19:
- Hands: Wash them often.
- Elbow: Cough into it.
- Face: Don’t touch it.
- Space: Keep safe distance.
- Home: Stay if you can.
Why it helps: Each of these WHO recommendations reduces the risk of exposure for yourself and others.
For more information, watch videos and dig deeper into these five WHO recommendations.
4. CDC’s Request to Protect Others
What it means: COVID-19 has a delayed incubation period. This means it can take two to 14 days for an infected person to show symptoms. During that time, the person could transmit the virus to others without knowing they’re sick. Not only is it critical to protect yourself by practicing prevention, but the CDC also wants us to protect others by following this advice:
- Stay home if you’re sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Wear a facemask if you’re sick.
Why it helps: The delayed incubation period creates risk for infection. By minimizing your exposure to other people and surfaces, you’re helping protect yourself, your family and others in your community.
Takeaway: Even if you don’t have symptoms, you might be infected and not know it. You could also show symptoms, but they’re mild, or you don’t realize they’re from COVID-19. Think of others and protect them from your germs by covering your cough and practicing good hand hygiene.
Learn more about handwashing by watching this CDC video:
In addition to these prevention practices, don’t forget to keep your environment clean and disinfected. Read our recent blog post about how COVID-19 survives on your clothes, cell phone and other common objects and surfaces. Don’t get sick from other people, and don’t get sick from your stuff!
Read our other COVID-19-related articles for more information on this topic:
- The Mental Health of Health Care Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Cleaning against COVID-19: Don’t Get Sick from Your Stuff
- Coping with Stress during the COVID-19 Outbreak
- Alcohol Awareness Month: Battling Alcoholism during COVID-19
- Watch Out for Scams during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Your Pharmacy Is Still Here for You
This information is brought to you by Mountain-Pacific Quality Health, the Medicare Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) for Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. Pacific Territories of Guam and American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy.
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