(This is Part 3 of Mini-Series.)
The rapid spread of Covid-19 has been scary, worrying and nervous to millions of people, particularly the vulnerable folks—those with chronic diseases such as cancer, heart issues and diabetes, the elderly and pregnant. Nobody escapes the grim reality as young, healthy people were also infected and died.
This is a time with a lot of unknown and uncertainty.
To live through the outbreak, I’d like to emphasize practicing personal hygiene in a few areas. These measures or tools are known and proven to lower your exposure to coronavirus, reduce current spread and fatalities, and safeguard your wellbeing as well.
Let me dive right in, and talk about three areas of personal hygiene. Hope these doses of personal responsibility help calm your nerves and confront this crisis.
First, personal health hygiene
Personal hygiene is a powerful weapon for personal protection, it’s like wearing a piece of invisible personal protective equipment (PPE).
It is critical to wash your hands frequently, totally, and meticulously for at least 20 seconds, use a hand sanitizer (> 60% alcohol) when water and soap are not available, and disinfect commonly touched surfaces for you and your family, and so on.
I feel I keep repeating myself, because I’ve advised so in my book and articles for preventing many illnesses. In fact, I even guided the readers why and how to cultivate healthy hygiene or habits in the kids from their early life. However, it’s worth it; because hand hygiene has been well-established to be an important tool and the most effective way to prevent spreading infectious diseases.
Then behavior hygiene includes covering cough or sneeze with your elbow or napkin, disposing contaminated napkins or handkerchiefs in a proper way—if possible, bag them. Stay at home and use a face mask if you are sick or have Covid-related symptoms. These preventive measures help yourself and others.
Second, personal isolation hygiene
“Social distancing” sounds like a buzz term to most of the world, but in the science of public health, it is a proven and effective measure in fighting pandemic. As the image shows, it works for “flattening the curve”.
Social distancing is also personal defense, it’s like an invisible barrier to block this dangerous virus from penetrating into your body. This is because Covid-19 spreads via person-to-person transmission. We isolate each other to isolate the virus.
Let me elaborate further. Social distancing and self-isolation or self-quarantine are hard for spring break beach goers or the Mardi Gras festival fans, and obviously difficult when business or city lockdowns. However, as this pandemic is raging, the blue ocean hides a sea in abundance of micro-sharks, i.e., invisible viruses. For coronavirus, packed crowds are either an easy ride to a host or an absolute buffet for survival—whatever you’d imagine, because all the nasty virus needs is to attach itself to a human cell and insert its genetic material into it, then replicate its RNAs and repeat the process of infecting other cells.
Please understand that social distancing doesn’t mean lonely living. I’m illustrating this point using Dos and Don’ts below:
|
Do |
Do Not |
|
| 1 | Comply with social distancing. | Close up social connections and support. (Thanks for modern technologies.) |
| 2 | Go outside (e.g. walk or exercise). | Involve face-to-face contact (including no handshakes, high-fives or hugs). |
| 3 | Shop necessities and seek medical care. | Travel outside the city/town, attend a large gathering, go to restaurant, café or theatre, and visit friends. |
| 4 | Work remotely, if possible. | Trust any online disinformation. |
| 5 | Maintain a safe distance away from others (advised 6 feet). |
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Social distancing requires responsibility and patience. I favor what an expert put, that is “Act like you have the virus and don’t want to infect others.” So, take personal responsibility seriously. Don’t forget that social distancing is a temporary but mandatory suffering; Nobody ordered social distancing indefinitely and no need to implement forever. After all, the lesson learned is that social lockdowns benefited “flattening the curve” in different countries.
Collectively, social distancing is well-worth it; because we can survive from human bond through different ways, but the virus cannot.
Finally, personal sleep hygiene
Even under normal circumstances, many folks are having trouble with sleep due to various reasons. Covid-19 outbreak induced stress can trigger insomnia or exacerbate existing sleep deficiency.
To manage anxiety, one of the effective ways is to ensure a good night sleep; in return, adequate sleep can improve mental and emotional health. My book has offered in-depth insights and tips, so no need to reiterate more here.
In addition to staying safe, eating healthy and exercising regularly, your immune system is your best weapon to fight viruses and diseases. Stress can weaken, but sleep can strengthen this defense.
Summary
We are fighting a common yet invisible enemy against humanity.
We have shared challenges, concerns, and desires. One goal is clear—to flatten “the curve” and get to the other side of it, which requires everybody to take personal responsibility and extra measures. Practicing the above areas of personal hygiene can imminently protect yourself, your loved ones, and others in the communities.
This is the exact right time, though not the only time, to plant personal hygiene routines into both public and personal consciousness.
Coronavirus will pass, just as other crises.
A final point: Cancer is another health crisis that does not discriminate any human being and many are living with it now, which should not be forgotten. Compromised immune system and complicated cancer treatment for cancer patients become more challenging at this troubling time. Their personal stories should also not be forgotten. Thus, the battle against cancer should keep on, the book “Key Strategies for Cancer Prevention” details why, how and what you can do to prevent cancer and optimize your wellbeing. So, remember to pick up a copy for yourself or your loved ones.