Follow these simple precautions to reduce your chances of getting COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a part of our daily life since March 2020, but with around 115,000 new cases per day in the United States and the death toll in the United States of more than 464,000, it is still important to remain vigilant. and conscious. how to protect yourself from coronavirus.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "the best way to prevent disease is to avoid exposure to this virus." As vaccines continue to roll out, here are simple steps you can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect yourself and others.
Know how it spreads
Scientists are still studying COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, but this highly contagious virus appears to spread more frequently by close contact (within 6 feet) between people via respiratory droplets, according to the CDC.
"Transmission can occur through respiratory droplets produced when a person coughs or sneezes, or through direct physical contact with an infected person, such as a handshake," says Dr. David Goldberg, NewYork physician and infectious disease specialist. -Presbyterian. Westchester Medical Group and associate professor of medicine at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University.
The CDC also notes that COVID-19 can be transmitted by airborne droplets, although this is less common than close human contact. "Some infections can be transmitted by contact with the virus in the form of tiny droplets and particles that can remain in the air for minutes to hours," says the CDC. “These viruses can infect people more than 6 feet away from an infected person or after that person has left the site. These transmissions were made in closed rooms with insufficient ventilation. "
Finally, the coronavirus can spread through infected surfaces, but this is also less likely. According to the CDC, “Based on COVID-19 laboratory data and what we know about similar respiratory illnesses, it is possible that a person can become infected with COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly eyes, but this is not considered the main route of the virus. "
How contagious is the coronavirus? A person infected with the new coronavirus can transmit the virus from 1.5 to 3.5 people. This metric, known as R0 or R-nothing, describes how contagious the virus is. Here we show how quickly a new coronavirus can go from 1 infection to more than 1 million.
Practice social distancing
Since face-to-face contact appears to be the main source of transmission, social distancing remains a key way to mitigate the effects of transmission. The CDC recommends keeping a distance of approximately 6 feet from other people in public areas. This distance will help you avoid direct contact with airborne droplets when you cough or sneeze.
In addition, studies have shown that outdoors with adequate distance and good ventilation, the risk of exposure is reduced. "Outdoors, transmission of the virus is 80% less than indoors," says Dr. Ashwin Wasan, an assistant physician in the Department of Medicine at the Irving Medical Center at Columbia Presbyterian University in New York and an assistant professor at the Postmen's Department. The Vagelos College of Public Health at Columbia University and the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. “One study found that out of 318 outbreaks, representing 1,245 confirmed cases in China, only one outbreak occurred outdoors. It is important. I recommend spending time with other people outside. This is not a sporting event or concert. We are talking about walking or going to the park or even talking at a safe distance to someone on the street. "
Wash your hands
Good hygiene is an important habit that helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. Make these CDC guidelines a part of your daily routine:
· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
· It is especially important to wash:
o Before eating or preparing food
o Before I touch your face
o After using the toilet
o After leaving a public place
o After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
o After handling the mask
o After changing the diaper
o After caring for the sick
o After touching animals or pets
If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands with hand sanitizer and rub until dry.
Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Visit the CDC website to learn how to properly wash your hands and use hand sanitizer. And watch our video below on how soap kills coronavirus. There is a lot of science behind this basic habit. “Soap molecules break down the fat layer that surrounds the virus,” says Dr. Goldberg. "Once the viral envelope is destroyed, the virus can no longer function."
In addition to washing your hands, disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, knobs, tables, telephones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
Wear a mask
Face masks have become indispensable accessories to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 infection. The CDC is recommending that people cover their faces in public, especially after studies have shown that people with the new coronavirus may be asymptomatic or asymptomatic. (However, face masks do not replace social distancing guidelines.)
"Masks are designed to create a barrier between the airway and the outside world," said Dr. Ole Vilemeyer, medical director of Weill Cornell ID Associates and Travel Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, New York Presbyterian Medical Center and Weill Cornell. Weill Cornell Medicine. "By wearing a mask that covers your mouth and nose, you reduce the risk of spreading the disease by trapping your own drops of the mask, and also reduce the risk of getting sick from drops containing the coronavirus by blocking access to your own airways."
Limit your travel
Traveling can increase the spread of COVID-19 and put you at risk for illness. The CDC recommends avoiding non-essential travel to many international destinations during a pandemic. He also advises people to weigh the risks when it comes to domestic travel: “Travel increases the chances of contracting and spreading COVID-19,” the CDC said. “Staying at home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.”
“For people at risk of complications from COVID-19, such as people with underlying medical conditions or the elderly, it is prudent to avoid travel,” says Dr. Goldberg.
If you need to travel, take safety measures, think about your mode of travel, and be aware of current restrictions at your destination. Following your state's post-travel quarantine guidelines will help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Watch for symptoms
Symptoms of coronavirus infection are often similar to other respiratory viral infections, such as the flu. Symptoms can include:
o Fever or chills
o Cough
o Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
o Fatigue
o Muscle or body pain
o Headache
o New loss of taste or smell
o Throat pain
o Nasal congestion or runny nose.
o Nausea or vomiting
o Diarrhea
Since the COVID-19 pandemic now coincides with flu season, it is important to recognize the differences in symptoms and also get vaccinated against flu. "The medical community is concerned that the increase in the number of influenza cases is putting pressure on the hospital system in addition to what is already happening with the COVID-19 pandemic," said Dr. Ting Wong, treating physician and specialist in diseases. Specialist at the New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital.
If he believes he may have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 and has symptoms, call his doctor's office ahead of time to see if he can get tested. You can also use a virtual healthcare platform like NYP OnDemand from NewYork-Presbyterian to meet with a healthcare provider via video conference. Avoid contact with other people and wear a mask if you need to leave the house during illness.
How the New York Presbyterian is Prepared
New York-Presbyterian continues to monitor the situation closely and follow the recommendations of state and local health departments and the CDC. Our medical staff are trained to recognize patients who may have the virus and will help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
We understand how important the support of family and friends is to patients during their hospital stay. Stay up-to-date on the New York Presbyterian Church Visitor Guidelines. Protecting patients and visitors from contamination is our priority.
To learn more about the evolving situation and how to protect yourself from the coronavirus, visit the CDC and see New York-Presbyterian for more information.