Staying at home following quarantine orders is a big step in protecting yourself and your loved ones from Covid-19. But this doesn’t mean that your household will be completely safe from this infectious disease. Risks are still present since you have to entertain deliveries or go out to replenish essentials, especially now that the highly transmissible Delta variant has become dominant in the country.
The country’s leading health institution, Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed, www.makatimed.net.ph) gives a refresher on the minimum health standards you and your family should keep in mind while this pandemic is still very much of a threat.
“We reiterate that the virus that causes Covid-19 can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles like respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols when they cough, sneeze, speak, or even breathe,” says Marion Kwek, MD from MakatiMed’s Section of Infectious Disease. “Now with the Delta variant that’s even more contagious than the original strain, it’s really a must for everyone to retain and augment the safety practices that we’ve been observing for the past year and so.”
n Be choosy with your masks. Face masks have been a part of our life in lockdown. But Kwek underlines the importance of the quality of your face mask. “It’s a must for your mask to snugly fit your face. Choose a mask with nose wire so you can adjust it to your face accordingly. Avoid masks that have gaps on the side of the face. Masks that have exhalation valves or vents are also not effective in stopping the virus from spreading,” she says.
“Your mask should also have at least two layers of breathable materials. It’s okay to do double masking or wear two masks to improve fit or fill gaps. Ideally, you should wear a disposable surgical mask underneath and a cloth mask on top. For men, beards may affect the fit of the mask and it would be better to trim the beard close to the face for a better mask fit.”
n Ventilation is essential. Improving ventilation can reduce virus particles from accumulating in the air in your home. There are many ways of improving ventilation, such as opening your windows, turning on fans, or using air filters.
n Sanitize high-touch surfaces. It may be unlikely to catch Covid-19 from a surface, but it’s still good hygiene to sanitize high-touch surfaces in and out of the house Kwek says. When cleaning your home, don’t forget to include doorknobs, tables, handles, light switches, and countertops. When out on an errand, bring disinfecting wipes to help you clean contact surfaces such as guardrails, ATM pads and screens, and card readers.
n Avoid touching your face. This may be a hard habit to break, but keeping your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth—areas where viruses can enter the body—goes a long way in reducing the spread of Covid-19 and preventing infections. “It’s important that you be conscious of the times you need to touch your face. You may need to take your glasses on and off, or remove or put on your face mask. At times when you really need to, just make sure that you do so with clean hands,” says Kwek.
n Wash hands properly. Kwek emphasizes that there’s a proper and effective way of washing your hands. “According to the World Health Organization, the proper washing of your hands with soap and water should take 40 to 60 seconds. Wet your hands then lather them with soap, targeting the backs of your hands and between your fingers before you rinse them with running water,” she says. “If soap and water is not easily available while you’re out, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and the process should take 20 to 30 seconds. Make sure to wash your hands when you get home.”
n Limit indoor shopping time. When going outside, limit the period you have to stay inside a closed space or indoor area. “There is a larger risk of being exposed to the virus when you’re indoors with strangers for a longer time,” says Kwek. “It’s smarter to have a list of your needs and do your groceries at a familiar store so you won’t have to linger looking for items you need. And of course, practice physical distancing at all times.”
n Avoid large gatherings. Large gatherings usually bring together people coming from different households, and this increases the risk of possible exposure. With the very high community transmission at this time, it is still recommended to avoid large events.
Getting vaccinated can help prevent severe Covid-19 infections, Kwek also reiterates. “But whether you’re vaccinated or not, avoiding exposure to the virus is the best way to keep Covid-19 away from your home. It’s best to mask up, wear a face shield, and keep observing Covid-19 safety protocols until this pandemic is all over.”
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