The New Coronavirus - How Do We Stop The Spread Of The Virus?

I am against bloggers writing about coronavirus because I noticed there are new updates daily and a blogger is not going to keep up with the official websites, hence we might actually disinform sometimes the readers.

I also noticed that a lot of people haven’t done any research about this virus and they just watch TV or read questionable newspapers, therefore, I want to share with all of you the research I have done (I linked the sources at the end if anyone wants to go more in-depth)

Keeping a virus under control, especially one as contagious as the new coronavirus (SARS-COV2), is a rather complicated process, which is based on knowing how the virus is transmitted. Essential measures should be taken to limit the spread of the virus, such as social distancing and healthy habits regarding hand hygiene.

According to WHO (World Health Organization) representatives, the new coronavirus is transmitted from one person to another through:
· Direct contact with a sick person
· Spread of infected respiratory microparticles into the air when a person with COVID-19 infection sneezes or coughs
· Touching the contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth, nose, and eyes

Infection with the new coronavirus is probably highly contagious when infected people manifest the associated symptoms. However, experts from the CDC (American Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and ECDC (European Center for Disease Control and Prevention) argue that the infection may spread even when the infected person is asymptomatic, that is, before a person has symptoms of the disease.

What does social distance mean?

Social distance is a measure of public health that authorities recommend during outbreaks of disease, epidemics, and pandemics. The purpose of social distancing is to keep people far enough from each other to prevent the spread of infectious agents, such as the new coronavirus.

Social distancing can help stop the spread of viruses, reduce the danger for people at the highest risk of disease and severe complications, and reduce stress on the health system.

Examples of social distancing:
· Encourage people to maintain a distance of at least 1,5 meter between themselves
· Limiting meetings to a fixed number of people
· Canceling or postponing public festivals, parades, sporting events and shows
· Cancellation of university courses
· Closing schools
· Avoid greeting by touching hands and hugs
· Stay as much as possible at home

Although research is limited, some studies have found that social distancing leads to reduced infection rates.

Habits that slow the spread of viruses, including the new coronavirus:

·        Frequent washing of hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. This practice helps a person to prevent viruses from entering the body through the airways.
·        Frequent disinfection of surfaces. Frequent cleaning and disinfection of commonly used surfaces, such as door handles, helps to stop the spread of viruses.
·        Social distance. Social distancing measures can slow the spread of viruses by limiting direct contact between individuals.
·         Proper respiratory hygiene (covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing). One of the basic rules of public health is respiratory hygiene, which must be learned from the first years of life. Each person must use a disposable napkin to cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. In this way, it stops the spread of infected particles in the air and on different surfaces. If you do not have a napkin handy, it is recommended to cough and squeeze into the elbow.
·        Limiting contact with other people when you are sick. Stay home when you are cold or have symptoms of respiratory illness. This way, you can prevent the spread of viruses and other people.

Wash your hands. Frequently. With soap and water. Teach your children to do the same

The spread of any type of virus, including the new coronavirus, begins and ends with hand hygiene (or lack thereof).

Most of the time, viruses do not transfer from one person to another or from one place to another because a sick person coughs or sneezes in front of another person. The transfer is done in the following way: a person coughs in the palm and touches something, without washing their hands. Then another person touches that object or surface and then takes their dirty hands to their mouth, nose, and eyes - how the virus enters the body. Therefore, the essential protection measure against any virus is handwashing with soap several times a day and especially after coughing and sneezing, after using the toilet, after using the means of public transportation, before the meal, etc.

Habits that stop the spread of viruses in hospitals

Hospitals are under extreme pressure to control the spread of viruses. Not only that, they are, in particular, frequented by sick people, who can bring different germs and viruses with them when they need a specific medical service, but also because many patients are admitted to hospitals who can have a fragile health condition. For a sick person, who already has a weakened immune system, a new infection could be fatal. This is why a person who has symptoms associated with acute respiratory infections (fever, heavy breathing cough) should not go directly to the hospital or the ward of the medical units but should contact their family doctor and follow its directions. It is both a measure of personal protection and the protection of other people.

CDC and ECDC experts recommend the use of the following measures to stop the spread of viruses in hospitals:

·        Telephone contact with the medical unit. Hospitals require people in need of medical care not to go to the hospital before calling for staff to keep them separate from people with other health problems.
·        Patient triage. Limiting the number of people entering the hospital, completing specific forms regarding the travel history and symptoms of patients, and directing them to the approved departments can help limit the spread of viruses.
·        Signs and consumables. Placing warning signs and hygiene posters throughout the medical unit, along with hand hygiene devices, can help reduce the spread of viruses.
·        Medical masks. People who come to the hospital with symptoms associated with a respiratory infection should receive medical masks immediately. In fact, these people should not contact the hospital directly but should contact the family doctor by phone for guidance.
·        Isolation. People who may have a highly contagious virus should be separated - either in private rooms or on different floors - from people with other health problems.
·        Personal protective equipment. Personnel working with people who may have an extremely contagious viral infection must wear specific protective equipment (gloves, gowns, masks) to protect their eyes, mouth, hands.
·        Cleaning and disinfection. The hospital staff must follow strict instructions on cleaning medical equipment, surfaces, clothes and bathrobes, and food utensils.

Habits that stop the spread of viruses inside the house

To prevent the spread of germs and viruses inside your home, focus your efforts on cleaning and disinfecting areas in your home, such as the kitchen and bathroom. Clean all surfaces and objects thoroughly, then disinfect with solutions based on chlorine and alcohol (a minimum content of 70% alcohol is recommended) to kill germs and viruses. It is crucial to make sure you dry surfaces, such as kitchen counter-tops thoroughly, after cleaning. Humidity helps the remaining germs to survive and, if there is enough water, to multiply.

Here are some general cleaning tips to prevent the spread of germs in the home, offered by the NHS - the UK's national health system:

·        Sponges. Use disposable cloths or paper towels when possible. Reusable textile cloths should be disinfected or washed at a temperature of 90 degrees Celsius after each use.
·        Brushes for dish-washing. Wash the brushes in a dishwasher regularly or clean them with detergent and warm water after each use
·        Mops. Use two pails for floor cleaning - one for detergent and the other for rinsing. Mops should be cleaned and dried after each use
·        WC. Clean the toilet bowl daily with a toilet cleaner, then disinfect. Frequently disinfect the lid and knobs used when flushing water. Keep in mind that you need to remove the limestone regularly.
·        Showers. Clean the shower set every few days. When a shower has not been used for some time, allow hot water to flow through it before using it.
·        Kitchen. Make sure the food preparation surfaces are clean before use. Use separate bowls for different types of foods - such as raw meat and foods that should not be cooked, such as salad leaves. Wash and dry your hands after handling food, especially raw meat. Clean surfaces immediately after use.
·        Floors. Clean floors regularly with hot water and detergent to remove visible dirt. Then disinfect with chlorine and alcohol solutions and make sure the floors are dry before allowing children access to them.
·        Carpets. Steam cleaning is efficient against germs on carpets.
·        Pets. Keep food for pets separate from food for human consumption. Always wash your hands after touching animals, food, toys, cages, and trash cans.
·        Toys. Frequently clean and wash hard or plastic toys. Some soft toys can be cleaned in the washing machine.
·        Dirty laundry. Wash hands after handling dirty laundry. Linen, towels, and bed linen should be washed at a temperature of 90 degrees Celsius, with a bleach-based laundry product to prevent germs from spreading. Do not leave the laundry in the washing machine - the remaining bacteria can multiply quickly.
·        Waste disposal. The trash cans whose lid opens with the foot are more hygienic because they reduce the risk of contamination when you lift the lid. Always wash your hands after handling waste.

Habits that stop the spread of viruses in the workplace:

· Employees should work from home, if possible
· Sick people should be encouraged to stay home
· Meetings with a large number of attendees must be canceled or rescheduled as an online meeting
· Proper hygiene of the hands with soap and water should be promoted for 20 seconds
· It is recommended the frequent cleaning of the surfaces often used: offices, door handles, elevator buttons, etc.
· Employers need to make sure that there is enough disinfectant for the hands.

I hope this helps a bit in figuring out what are the right actions for each of us to take during these hard times…and please, do proper research, read-only official websites and make sure to check any news you find, before sharing it further to others.

Sources: 
 www.health.clevelandclinic.org 
 www.cdc.gov 
 www.medicalnewstoday.com 
 www.nhs.uk 
 www.m.kp.org