Contrary to what you might have thought from the title of this post, I am not referring to social media when I say going viral. This post is all about what everyone and their mother has been talking about: Coronavirus [COVID-19]. As you know from previous posts, I am really big on germ prevention. The operative word in that previous sentence being prevention. As a country, in most realms of life [not just during an outbreak], we tend to fall short when it comes to primary prevention methods. Sadly, we end up being very much a tertiary prevention society...too little too late. This time around, with the amount of Coronavirus media and reliable preventative sources of information available at your fingertips, there is no excuse not to educate yourself. This post is going to breakdown all the most pertinent recommendations from the World Health Organization [WHO] and the Centers for Disease Control [CDC] for Coronavirus containment and prevention. So go grab your coffee, take a seat and actually read this.
The following is a list of advice provided by the WHO dictating basic protective measures we should ALL be taking. I have highlighted the most important points. For the full original article, click here and you will redirect to the WHO information page.
1. Wash. Your. Hands. This cannot possibly be stressed enough. It is one of the easiest and most basic measures you can engage in multiple times daily to reduce the risk of contraction and thus spreading of the virus [or any virus]. If hand sanitizer is your only option, it is better than nothing, but NOTHING substitutes washing with actual soap and water. If you can, go a little bit out of your way to actually use soap and water.
My personal rule of thumb that I implement inside/outside my home at all times regardless of the time of year:
...wash your hands anytime you enter the house from the outside
...wash your hands prior to consuming food or drink
...wash your hands prior to feeding your kids
...if you take your kiddo to a class [i.e. little gym] wash their hands at the gym right after class and then again upon entering your home...not good enough to just wait until your get home...gives them plenty of opportunity to stick their hands in their mouth and face while in the stroller/car on the way home.
...wash your hands after touching the trash or any kind of waste [this includes unboxing...delivery boxes are filthy]
...wash your hands after coughing or sneezing [even if you used your elbow as opposed to your hand...still wash]
...wash your hands before, during and after food prep
...obviously wash your hands after using the bathroom...please do not be extra gross
2. Social distancing. I know, an introverts dream!...but being antisocial is not what this means. If you are in a public place and there appears to be others who have so graciously decided to bring their nasty coughs and sneezes into community space...stay away from them...at least 3 feet of distance. This will allow you to mostly avoid the spray zone. I know...it's so disgusting, but it's true. When people cough or sneeze, liquid droplets shoot out in all directions and bystanders can be infected from these droplets. Basically just run for the hills when someone decides to be gross.
3. Avoid the T-zone. We all know this from school. Do not ever touch your eyes, nose, ears or mouth when you are in public. Honestly, avoid it when you are home too unless you have just washed hands or showered. NEVER touch the t-zone in public regardless of the recency of washing hands. That is the quickest vehicle to inserting germs into your body through your eyes, nose, mouth and ears. If you're reading this, you now have an itch on your nose right? ... that's how thinking about it tends to work :)
4. Respiratory hygiene. Cover your damn mouth when you cough or sneeze. Bystanders do not want your nasty adult respiratory fluids all over them whether you are sick or not. This is also why parents need to be diligent about not taking their sick kids into public. Kids do not always know to cover their mouths when they cough and sneeze...espeially the younger children who have no understanding of this concept. You can refer back to my post on childhood illness etiquette for specific tips regarding bringing sick children into public. Click here to view.
5. If you have a fever, cough or respiratory symptoms do not wait to seek help. Contact your doctor immediately. Call them before showing up to avoid spreading the virus to others in the waiting room and do not go out into public spaces.
Extra things to consider for the Mamas of toddlers:
While toddlers are arguably the most adorable land mammals out there...they are also the most disgusting. This is the age where they have no concept of germs and thus they have peculiar behaviors that are really not conducive during flu season let alone a potential pandemic. So mamas, it's time to be extra vigilant when in public places with the tiny humans. Make sure they avoid doing the following typical gross toddler behaviors:
...licking the floor
...licking windows
..."playing" with the toilet seat
...laying down on the floor face down
...touching trash cans
...resting their faces on seat cushions
...crawling/pretending to be a lion on the bookstore floor
...touching fire hydrants
...picking their nose
...you get the point
People with no children...you think I am kidding right about now, huh? I am dead serious. Axel has done all of the above
Usually it happens so fast I don't even have time to stop it, but now I am being hyper vigilant. No more public floor licking for homeboy #sorrynotsorry.
It's really kind of funny that it takes the threat of a global pandemic to get people to abide by what should be everyday hygiene rules. The regular flu has killed over 16,000 people just in the 2019-2020 flu season. So why does it take a fancy name virus and media attention to get us to implement really very basic germ prevention habits? Newsflash people: we should be engaging in these WHO/CDC recommendations all. the. time. Inside and outside of flu season. Washing your hands and not going into public with fever and respiratory issues should be an "all times of year" rule...not just a seasonal recommendation. Let's start getting comfortable incorporating these measures into daily life. Educate your family members...your friends...children included. Start the habits early so it's just part of the day. Be on the side of trying to fix the problem...not spread it.
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