Both coronavirus and flu seem to be similar as they are spread predominantly through contact and respiratory droplets. However, coronavirus is more asymptomatic cases than flu. In terms of contagiousness, flu is usually over within a week, while coronavirus may take up to 10 days. Mild to critical illness and death are some of the spectrum ranges for the two. There is fear that both can lead to a twindemic, and the effects can be severe. COVID-19 vaccine has started to be rolled out, but citizens are expected to take precautionary measures to prevent further spread. The elderly and those with underlying conditions like lung or heart diseases or diabetes are at more risk of severe illness when infected with the diseases.
Keeping social distance and proper hygiene can help prevent the further spread of the diseases. Therefore, this article focuses on hygiene tips on how to protect yourself from COVID and flu.
Be Aware of How They Spread
Both COVID-19 and flu can spread quickly from one person to another when they are in close contact. Also, respiratory droplets from an infected person can reach the other when they sneeze, cough, breath, talk, or talk. When an unaffected person inhales these droplets, they contact the viruses. Also, there can be asymptomatic people but still spread viruses. There are certain circumstances when the viruses are airborne transmitted, and poorly ventilated rooms should be avoided. Touching contaminated surfaces can also lead to the spread of both. Knowing coronavirus safety tips will help you avoid being infected.
Wash Hands Often
What does hygiene mean to you? Since you have known that both flue and COVID-19 spread through touching contaminated surfaces, you will often want to wash your hands with soap and water. Washing should take at least 20 seconds as you rub both the back, front, and in between your fingers thoroughly with soap. It should be made a routine practice after being in public places, coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, changing a diaper, touching pets and animals, or caring for the sick. It would help if you also washed your hands before eating or preparing food or touching your face. Such CDC hand hygiene measures ensure that your hands are free from spreading the viruses.
Hand sanitizers should be used alternatively when soap and water are not available. An ideal alcohol concentration should be at least 60% alcohol. In public institutions like workplaces, schools, and hospitals, you will want to have a mass provision of sanitizer. Therefore, Pedal Activated Hand Sanitizer Dispenser Stand for Gallons is an ideal equipment to use. It uses a foot pedal to avoid touching the sanitizer since many people will use it. The sanitizer should cover all surfaces of the hand and rubbed together until it dries out. Before you wash or sanitize your hands, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. These are the entry points for the viruses into the body.
Avoid Close Contacts
It would be best if you avoided close contact both inside and outside your home. Inside your home, you need to avoid close contact with sick people, usually 6 feet apart. It would also help if you distanced yourself from people who are not from your household 6 feet apart, irrespective of them being sick or not. Some people may spread the viruses even when they are not showing the symptoms. Those who are at a higher risk of getting severely ill should distance themselves from others.
When in public places like work or school, use a study safe personal partitions. Study Safe Desktop Sneeze Guards and Desk Privacy Panels are examples of partitions that you can use to seclude yourself from others. People come from different backgrounds. It would be hard to tell those sick of diseases.
Cover Nose and Mouth with Mask When in Public
Even when you do not feel sick, you can spread COVID-19 and flu. The reason for wearing the mask is to save yourself and others from getting infected. Always wear a mask when in public and around those who are not from your household. Sometimes, other social distancing measures can be hard to maintain. Therefore, a mask should always be put on. Children under the age of two years, those with breathing troubles, and incapacitated people should not wear a mask. Even when you wear a mask, ensure that you distance yourself from others since it is not a substitute for social distancing.
Cover Sneezes and Coughs
When sneezing or coughing, cover your nose and mouth with tissue paper. In case you do not have tissue paper, use the inside of your elbow to cough or sneeze. Avoid spitting at all costs. Bin the used tissue paper. Tissue paper is the best since it can be disposed of. Avoid the use of handkerchiefs. After a sneeze or cough, wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly. Alternatively, you can use a hand sanitizer of at least 60% alcohol. Such good hygiene practices will prevent you from spreading diseases to others.
Clean and Disinfect Surfaces
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces are one of the ways on how to have good hygiene. Surfaces that are touched frequently should be cleaned and disinfected. Such surfaces include light switches, doorknobs, handles, countertops, phones, tablets, sinks, faucets, toilets, and keyboards. Dirty surfaces should be cleaned before they are disinfected. Soap and water are ideal for cleaning. After cleaning the surface, use a household disinfectant to sterilize it.
Quat Plus TB One-Step Ready-to-Use Disinfectant is an example of disinfectants you can use to clean the surfaces. It can either be a concentrate or a ready to use disinfectant. With the concentrate, you’ll have to mix with water before use.
For large surfaces, it will be hard to disinfect manually. Therefore, you will need foggers to make the work easier. Also, Portable Backpack Disinfectant Spray Machine is the ideal equipment for disinfecting misting machine you can use to spray the disinfectant on surfaces.
UV light can also be used to sterilize surfaces. Portable Rechargeable UV-C Light Sterilizer Wand is an example of a UV light sterilizer for hands. It is rechargeable and can be carried along when you go to a public place.
Daily Monitor Your Health
Always be aware of COVID-19 and flu symptoms. Such symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, among others. You are at risk of exposure when you provide essential services. Be sure to test yourself daily to avoid being infected or infecting others. One of the preliminary measures is taking your body temperature. Thirty minutes after taking medication or involving in a vigorous activity is not ideal for taking temperature. PPE gear like a Non-contact Digital Infrared Medical Thermometer used for taking temperatures on the forehead is perfect. Seek a doctor’s attention when you see these symptoms develop.
Since the emergence of COVID-19, many people have been infected. Some have died as a result. Flu is also emerging, and a combination of the two is feared to be deadly. Therefore, it is advisable to maintain high hygiene measures and keep social distancing to combat their spread. Ensuring that you maintain the above COVID safety measures would reduce the number of infections. Therefore, the introduced vaccine would be useful in saving more lives when backed up with proper hygiene.