Imagine not being able to taste smoky jollof rice when you eat it or smell anything, not even your best fragrance.
It doesn’t sound good, does it?
One of the symptoms that have become common with people affected by the recent wave of the Coronavirus pandemic is a loss of taste and smell. It is a pretty scary and depressing symptom. As with all sicknesses, prevention of infection with the virus is better than any cure or vaccine. As we learn to exist with the reality of the ongoing pandemic, it is very important to learn to protect yourself and make caution part of your everyday routine.
Going about your daily activities can be tricky and maybe even scary but protecting yourself from infection and reducing exposure to COVID-19 is possible. Simple everyday practices can make a world of difference and maybe even save your life and those of your loved ones.
Here are five quick tips for reducing COVID-19 exposure:
Always wear a mask
If you have to leave your home, make sure you wear a mask properly. A mask should cover your nose and mouth, not just your chin or mouth. A mask can protect you from infection if you use it correctly. If you use a cloth mask, never use it more than once without washing it. When you wash it, dry it on high heat before using it again.
Wash your hands correctly
This is one of the most important rules of personal hygiene and COVID-19 protection. Wash your hands frequently and with enough soap and water. Include your fingertips right up to your wrists. This exercise should last for twenty seconds. Make sure to be thorough while doing it. Washing your hands minimizes the risk of germ transfer from one surface to another or your own body.
If you have no access to soap and water, use a hand sanitizer. A sanitiser however does not replace and is not as good as proper handwashing. Wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you can.
Social distancing
To maintain social distancing means staying at a reasonably safe distance (at least six feet) from other people when you leave home. Stay at least six feet away from people when you are out and about. Also, avoid going to crowded places and establishments that do not observe COVID-19 safety precautions.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects in your house
Door handles, light switches and tables are some of a home’s most frequently touched surfaces. These surfaces can cause a quick transfer of germs all around the house. This is why it is important to clean and disinfect them regularly to reduce the spread of germs.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
These openings are the easiest ways for the COVID-19 virus to get into your body. As you go about your day, your hands touch all sorts of dirty surfaces. If you touch your face often, you increase the risk of transferring germs from these surfaces and infecting yourself. Try your very best to keep your hands away from your face.
We must do our part to stop the spread of coronavirus and make the world a safe place again. It is best to altogether remove yourself from harm’s way by taking precautionary measures to protect not just yourself but those around you as well.
