The world is slowly crumbling to the depths of dismay. Why do I say this? It is because coronavirus has already destroyed millions of lives and is still continuing its stampede. So looking after all the little umbrella’s we from Little Umbrella Foundation a non-profited organization thought of forming these guidelines so that the readers get a thorough outlook of all the necessary precautions to be taken, but even before I start let me tell you a story which depicts the corona villain.
The Corona Villian
Suddenly out of nowhere, when we were just getting on with our lives, CORONA emerged in the corner. Just like the big bad wolf who was disguised as a granny or the ugly villain in classic Hollywood cowboy movies, Corona/Covid19 came into our lives as the ugly big bad villain.
All the children were playing happily in the playground when suddenly the evil villain named CORONA Virus came as a dark cloud over the playground and started raining.
All the children started running here and there. Then their mothers came out with the umbrella of masks and sanitizers and safely took them back home.
But the villain was still outside.
It had spread its claws and waiting to get into your nose or mouth and infect you. This new villain had devised a new way of making you sick. It would disguise as your friend and just when you become even slightly carefree it suddenly throws off the robe and gets into your lungs making you sick.
It had become so hard to recognize that mothers said it was best to stay at home and not meet any of your friends because you may never know who is the disguised coronavirus.
Now the children were staying at home waiting for the evil villain to leave. Meanwhile, our superheroes Doctors, policemen, delivery personnel, and many others were fighting with the villain. They wore gloves, masks, and all the shields by WHO (world hero organization) and plunged into the battlefield.
So, many viruses went into disguise but couldn’t fool our heroes. They were all ready with weapons to fight the crooked villain corona. The government uncles were helping the superhero in every possible way giving them tools to fight with this huge invisible villain.
One day the little Coco was missing her friends and school and fun outside of the house. She was crying and yelling, asking her mother to go out and have fun. Her mother was very sad since she was not listening to her and then on the television, the government uncle came and made Coco and all the children understand that it is very, very important to stay at home as the Corona villain is roaming around on the streets to find the little ones as they are so innocent and easy to attack and will infect their lungs.
Everyone was just hoping and praying that one day everything will become normal and our superheroes will win to kill corona with the COVID vaccine. But till then we should all stay at home and embrace this scenario.
What is Coronavirus and how does it spread?
A new virus called the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified as the cause of a disease outbreak that began in China in 2019. The disease is called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Public health groups, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO, are monitoring the pandemic and posting updates on their websites. There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19). The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
Between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet). Respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms. It can also spread if a person touches a surface with the virus on it and then touches his or her mouth, nose, or eyes, but this isn’t the main way it spreads.
Precautionary measures for coronavirus?
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the COVID-19 virus. The CDC and WHO recommend following these precautions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
- The mask is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
- Do NOT use a mask meant for a healthcare worker. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.
- Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The mask is not a substitute for social distancing.
- Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
- Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
- Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
Since the maximum of the population is confined to their homes so we have provided separate precautionary measures for them as well.
How to protect from coronavirus at home?
- As much as possible, keep away from other people and pets in your home.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, throw the tissue away and then wash their hands right away. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Use separate bedding and towels and not share these with other household members
- Use separate dishes, glasses, cups, and eating utensils and not share these with other household members. After use, run them through the dishwasher or wash with very hot soapy water.
- Make sure shared spaces in the home have good airflow. You can open a window or turn on an air filter or air conditioner.
- Wash the sick person’s clothing, bedding, and towels with detergent at the hottest temperature possible. Wear gloves when handling their laundry, if possible. Wash your hands well after handling the laundry (even if you wore gloves).
- All household members should wash their hands well and often. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Do not allow visitors into your home. This includes children and adults.
- If you must go out of the house, wear a cloth face covering or face mask and keep at least 6 feet (2 meters) of the distance between you and other people.
This is the new normal where we all should stay at home and should only go outside when very important. Use masks and gloves always. Not to shake hands but do Namaste and use sanitizers frequently. Follow all healthy habits like washing hands, maintaining social distance, taking care of elders at home, helping the poor and jobless, eating immunity-boosting food, downloading the Arogya setu app to help detect potential risks, and many others. Lastly, we would only say “Stay Home, Stay Safe!!”
