The 14 Things You Need To Know About COVID-19 Disease

As more and more information surged all over the web pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic, it becomes easy to raise panic and anxieties to the community. We have seen online and on other forms of media how the coronavirus disease propagates infecting several million people. However, it is nothing compared to the other fatal diseases, such as the outbreak of Cholera.

Because of its high rate of infectivity, many affected countries immediately imposed lockdown measures to curb its transmission. With all the government measures, each of us must be knowledgeable of the preventative measures against the spread of COVID-19 Disease.

The Chief of the Infectious Disease Clinic, Faheem Younus from the University of Maryland in the U.S.A., shared his reminders and wisdom about this infectious virus. He admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic would exist for a couple of months and years.

Denying the fact that the coronavirus disease will subsist as long as the vaccine is not released is not good. Therefore, we should accept it but not live in fear with it. We can still be productive and learn how to adopt in these critical circumstances. Here are the facts that you should know.

1. Drinking gallons of hot water brings no good.

It is because once the coronavirus disease has gone through the openings of your body such as mouth and nose, the coronavirus will penetrate the cell walls inside. Excessive drinking of hot water will only result in frequent visits to the bathroom. Drink water in enough amounts only.

2. The best method of protection is wearing facemasks, washing hands regularly, and physical distancing.

These methods remain to be the best preventative ways from contracting the COVID-19 virus. Wearing one’s facemasks will prevent viruses from entering the openings in your face. A simple hand-washing technique with soap is also enough to kill the virus itself. Moreover, an individual cannot be infected unless he makes contact with other potentially affected persons or gets near to them within six feet. Even if these methods may seem simple, they can save you and your family from COVID-19 disease.

3. Disinfecting one’s homes is only necessary if a COVID-19 patient visited or lived within the place.

The COVID-19 pandemic raised the anxieties of many individuals in cleaning the potentially infected surfaces of their houses. However, these efforts are futile if no COVID-19 patient has visited the area. It is essential that we stay relaxed from all the anxieties as we remain within the comfort of our homes.

4. Packaged cargo, gas pumps, ATMs, and shopping carts do not cause COVID-19 infection.

Remove your worries that you can get infected on these public items. However, do not be too complacent in public areas. Washing or sanitizing your hands regularly is vital after going outside. Therefore, live your life as usual with the best methods.

5. COVID-19 infection cannot be caused by take-out food or through its packaging.

Like the flu, the coronavirus disease is a droplet-related infection. Diseases that are transferred through food are called food-borne infectious such as the Salmonella. Fortunately, the coronavirus disease does not fall into this category. No demonstrated risk in coronavirus is also recorded through food transmission.

6. Losing one’s smell is not a specific symptom of the disease.

It is established that COVID-19 patients may or may not have a non-specific symptom of losing their smell. It is because you can temporarily lose your sense of smell just because you had allergies or other viral infections. If you experienced this symptom, stay calm, and boost your immune system up.

7. Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin cannot prevent COVID-19.

It is dangerous to take these drugs without the consent or supervision of your doctor. These drugs are undergoing their experimental stage for the treatment of selected coronavirus patients. Taking it will possibly lead to fatal heart rhythm problems with its other associated side effects. Therefore, do not take the risks that can lead you to other worse problems.

8. Changing clothes urgently and frequent showers once at home is paranoia.

Once you arrived at your home, excessive cleanliness will do no good for you. Cleanliness is a virtue. However, paranoia is not! This is not the time to scare the people. The best preventative methods mentioned above are our most significant return of investment for our health. Secure your health wisely, not excessively.

9. Coronavirus does not stay in the air for long.

One should not be afraid of the thought that one can inhale the COVID-19 virus in the air. Again, it falls into the category of respiratory droplet infection. To contract the disease, close contact is required. It means that the air remains clean as you venture yourselves in the gardens or parks. Physical distancing from other people is successful in preventing it.

10. Any soap is enough to kill the coronavirus.

As you wash your hands regularly, you do not need to buy expensive antibacterial soaps to keep yourself safe. This is a virus and not a bacteria. Covering your hands with soap can dismantle the composition of the virus, thus effectively killing it.

11. The COVID-19 disease is not transmitted through the bottom of your shoes.

Dr. Faheem Younus has been working and studying viruses for almost 20 years. He can assure that the droplet infection cannot be transmitted in this way. It is because the viruses that may have been brought from the bottom of your shoes are not viable enough to cause an infection to the person.

12. Sugarcane juice, vinegar, and ginger are only for immunity.

A belief circulated online that these things are a cure for coronavirus disease. The central truth behind it is that it only boosts your immunity, who will fight the virus infection in your body. Therefore, it is only complementary and not the primary cure.

13. Wear your face masks in appropriate places and time.

Wearing your face masks for extended periods will impede your way of breathing. It means that it can affect the oxygen levels in your body. Hence, Dr. Younus recommends only using it when exposed in public or crowds.

A better option than face masks is face shields. It is because it also provides protection in your eyes, and it does not suffocate its user. If you can avail of a face shield over a face mask, then do it.

14. Wearing of gloves is unnecessary.

Wearing gloves is not a good idea in public. It is because the virus may accumulate into the glove. Once you feel tempted to touch your face, then it is easy for the virus to be transmitted to your nose and mouth. Washing one’s hands regularly is still the best method to follow.

To conclude everything, our immunity is the number one investment against any infections from bacteria or viruses. If weakened, then it makes us susceptible to different kinds of diseases. It can be reduced by always staying in a sterile environment.

Therefore, Dr. Younus reminded the public to also go out regularly with the practice of precaution measures. One must eat immunity-boosting foods to support their own health. You can increase your immunity by exposure to pathogens not by just sitting in our homes like a couch potato while consuming junk and unhealthy foods.

As we face the coronavirus pandemic, it is crucial to live our lives sensibly to its fullest. Stay updated and safe!

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A multi-award-winning blogger and advocate for OFWs and investment literacy; recipient of the Mass Media Advocacy Award, Philippine Expat Blog Award, and Most Outstanding Balikbayan Award. Her first book, The Global Filipino Bloggers OFW Edition, was launched at the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait. A certified Registered Financial Planner of the Philippines specializing in the Stock Market. A recognized author of the National Book Development Board of the Philippines. Co-founder of Teachers Specialist Organization in Kuwait (TSOK) and Filipino Bloggers in Kuwait (FBK). An international member of writing and poetry. Published more than 10 books.  Read more: About DiaryNiGracia