How can we protect ourselves from COVID-19?
We should understand how to protect ourselves from diseases that are now widely spread and feared by society.
Everyone can be exposed to the disease caused by COVID-19. But each individual’s response to the disease is different. People with strong immunity may not experience any symptoms at all (asymptomatic), or just mild symptoms.
How can we protect ourselves and others from this disease?
- Staying at home
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure to the virus. By not going out of our home, we reduce our exposure to this disease. We also reduce the risk of spreading this disease. So that we can slow down the spread of COVID-19, and finally the number of cases can be reduced.
Not everyone can work from home, but we should avoid outdoor activities, except for a very important nor emergency situation. The bottom line is to avoid crowds. Keep the distance at least 1 meter (according TO CDC’s recommendation 1.8 meters) from others, especially from the person who had symptoms of respiratory disease such as sneezing or coughing.
For healthy people, this is called a quarantine, in order not to be infected with the disease. For those who have been sick, this is called isolation, in order not to transmit the disease to others.
- Wash your hands with water and soap
Often wash your hands with water and soap for at least 20 seconds especially after being in a public place or after removing the nasal mucus, coughing or sneezing. If water and soap are not available, you can use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 70 % alcohol in all parts of the hand until it’s dry. Excessive use of hand sanitizer can cause dry skin. The best recommendation is to wash hand with water and soap.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
Our hands often touch the surface around us unconsciously. Surface of objects can contain droplet which could transmit the disease. If the droplet contact with the tissues in our body, especially to the eyes, nose and mouth, this droplet can transmit the disease. We should avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth.
- Practice good ethics on coughing and sneezing
In order to avoid the spread of droplet, we should conduct good cough and sneezing ethics. By COVERING the NOSE and MOUTH while sneezing or coughing, we can already prevent the discharge of droplet into the air significantly. Closing the nose and mouth can be done to the inside of the arms (inner elbows) or tissues or handkerchiefs, which should be REMOVED IMMEDIATELY. And do not forget to wash your hands after sneezing or coughing.
- Routinely cleans and disinfection of surfaces
The easiest way to clean the surface around is with soap and water. After cleaning, it can be disinfected with the disinfectant fluid that suitable to the item that is disinfected. Clean and disinfect the frequently touched surfaces such as, lamp switches, door handles, tables, HP, keyboards, toilets, taps, and sinks at least three tines daily.
Further information can be found in the guide disinfection by Kemenkes, can be reported fromhttps://artikel.rumah123.com/panduan-disinfeksi-rumah-secara-efektif-agar-terhindar-dari-virus-corona-56104
- Immune boosting
We can alsoprotect ourselves by boosting our immunity. By eating and drinking balanced nutrition, adequate exercise (while still keeping the distance), and basking in the morning sun, we can strengthen the immune system.
Multivitamins can help the immune system, but almost all vitamins can also be obtained from foods such as vegetables and fruits. Vitamin D can also be obtained from sunlight, so sunbathing can increase our immune system. No need to block multivitamins
SOURCE list
- Kemenkes. Questions and Answers related Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Update 6 March 2020. Accessible fromhttps://infeksiemerging.kemkes.go.id/qna-pertanyaan-dan-jawaban-terkait-covid-19-update-6-maret-2020/#Apakah_saya_harus_selalu_menggunakan_masker 31 march 2020
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Diakses dari https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20479963 1 April 2020.
- CDC. How to Protect Yourself. Retrieved https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html 1 April 2020
- Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia accessed at https://i0.wp.com/pipitsu.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/D2JpNCPVAAAaxAf.png?w=800&ssl=1 april 1, 2020.
Article by Dr. Eunice Prita Immanuella (Tirta Medical Center)
