We the people of the world, must work together to stop the coronavirus. We must literally bet our lives that we can prevent its spread, find a cure, and render it ineffective like so many pandemics of the past.
This is an opportunity for us to cooperate and work together to solve a universal challenge. This same spirit of cooperation will be essential in the next crisis the world will face: saving the environment from pollution and global warming. It’s not China or Europe against America (or even the Democrats against the Republicans), but all of us together who will be able to stop the virus in its tracks and keep it from reemerging again and again, leaving trails of sickness and death.
Indeed, we can turn this time of isolation and social distancing into an opportunity. We can take a hiatus from our normal busy lives, study on-line, learn to play a musical instrument, start a business, work towards new dreams and goals and educate those among us who do not practice good health habits.
These guidelines on how to stay health have been compiled from a variety of news reports from medical experts and the CDC, as well as my own conversations with people working in the health field:
Follow basic practices to stay healthy. Eat well, drink lots of liquids, exercise and get lots of sleep and rest. This way your immune system will be strong and you will be better able to resist the disease, or easily recover from it if you get it.
Be optimistic calm and have a positive mental attitude. High levels of anxiety weekend out immune system and make us more vulnerable.
Don’t touch your face, eyes, or mouth unless you have thoroughly washed your hands.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, thoroughly lathering and rubbing the palms, back of hands, between the fingers, and the nails. Soap renders the virus inactive. Hand sanitizer, if it contains at least 60% alcohol, will also kill the virus. Rub the sanitizer over your hands and leave it on for 10 seconds or more, letting it dry naturally. Warm wet washcloths and scrubber pads are breeding grounds for disease. Avoid using these tools unless completely necessary.
Stay away from sick people.
If you are sick, cover your coughs and sneezes, so you don’t give the disease to others. Better yet, stay home and isolated from other until you are well. If you think you have COVID-19, get tested. Experts say:
If you think you may have coronavirus, but are not seriously ill, get test by the health department or your doctor.
If you are mildly sick, contact your doctor either remotely or in-person and get guidance on how to care for yourself.
If you are seriously ill, go to a hospital emergency room.
Treating CoV early will give you a better chance of recovering quickly.
Doctors tells us that coronavirus can live in the air for three hours and on a surface, such as a counter top or table, for up to nine days. Stay away from people who are coughing and sneezing. . Suspended droplets in the air can infect you. Wash surfaces that others touch with soap and water and wash your hands frequently.
If you are a manager or work with someone who is sick, ask the person to cover their coughs and sneezes, or to go home. One person coughing and sneezing at reception desk in a hotel can infect 30 or 40 people. At the checkout counter in a supermarket or department store, hundreds.
Coronavirus can spread between people and animals. For your pet’s protection as well as your own, keep contact to a minimum and wash your hands after touching them, their food or accoutrements.
Social distancing, which is staying away from other people as much as possible, will not only protect you, but also help prevent the spread of the disease. Re-think your routine. You could be exposed to the virus if you go to the movies, take public transportation, eat out frequently or engage in team sports. I know it’s difficult to give up, but if you can, reduce contact with others as much as possible, until the pandemic has reached its peak and drastically declined. If you are particularly vulnerable, such as over 60, have a disease or a compromised immune system, please take special care to follow this guideline.
Mel a Robbins a self-help TV and You Tube talk show host, will be doing live broadcasts every day on youtube.com at noon EST to help people remain calm, grounded, optimistic, and to deal effectively with the challenges of coronavirus.
Following these guidelines and others that are announced, will keep us well, positive and prepared for future world challenges.
