Simple Steps To Minimize The Transmission Of COVID-19

Hand washing illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Since the announcement of the first case of an Indonesian citizen infected with the corona virus. Now they are receiving intensive care at RSPI Sulianti Saroso.

This certainly makes people worried about the spread of the corona virus or COVID-19. In order not to be infected, it is better if we understand how this corona virus can spread.

Summarizing from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the corona virus can spread through the splash of water that comes out of the mouth of an infected person, when sneezing or coughing. In addition, this virus can also spread through objects in public places around the sufferer.

Because until now there is no vaccine to prevent the spread of corona virus infection. There are several ways you can do to reduce the risk of contracting this virus. The following efforts can be made, as summarized from the Harvard Health page:

1. Keep Clean

The first line of defense is maintaining good personal hygiene. Wash hands with soap and water before preparing food and after using the bathroom and when traveling.

In addition, if you are coughing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow. If you are already using your palms, don't forget to wash your hands immediately.

pic.twitter.com/CZ4e4qDFBJ

- conch. (@pwsycho) March 2, 2020

When washing your hands, don't just wash your palms. Also pay attention to the long fingernails, clean them with soap or better yet, trim the long nails so that germs and viruses are not hidden in the long fingernails.

In addition, people are encouraged to use hand sanitizers to provide additional protection to avoid viruses and bacteria.

2. Process the food well

Just in case, it's a good idea to clean meat, chicken or fish before using running water. Not only meat, other food ingredients such as fruits and vegetables should also be washed under running water.

In addition, separate raw and cooked foods so there is no cross-contamination. Do not use the same utensils or cutting boards as cooked and raw dishes.

Avoid undercooking meat, chicken and fish. Process these food ingredients until they are cooked as best as possible so that the bacteria and viruses that are present can die.

3. Don't be afraid to go to the hospital

If you think you have one of the symptoms of COVID-19, such as coughing or sneezing, experts recommend wearing a mask to protect others from catching it.

However, if you feel that the symptoms are getting worse, such as fever, dry cough, difficulty breathing, and sometimes it feels like pneumonia, it is better to immediately go to the hospital. In addition, there have been several reports of COVID-19 symptoms as well as other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea before respiratory problems occurred.

Those with the virus may have no obvious symptoms or symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Recovery time also varies. Even though the death rate from COVID-19 is quite high, don't forget that the virus can also be cured.

4. Use a mask

The use of masks is more important for people who are healthy or sick is actually still a debate in various countries. However, according to various sources that the VOI team got, there is nothing wrong with even though being healthy, still using a mask just in case someone is sick. Conversely, if you are sick, it is advisable to use a mask to prevent transmission to other healthy people.

There is nothing wrong with keeping yourself healthy and not catching the virus easily. The methods mentioned above are simple activities that are easy but still not many people do it regularly and correctly. If these methods were started from now on, the transmission of the virus will undoubtedly be smaller.