COVID 19 - How to stop its spread

COVID 19 - How to stop its spread

Have you ever wondered why the Japanese leave their shoes at the door, why people from India press their hands together in front of their faces and bow when they greet others, why Jesus washed his Disciples feet at the Last Supper, or why Europeans carried big handkerchiefs everywhere?  

Worldwide sicknesses like COVID 19 are not new.  They have come along many times over human history.  And to counter the effects of such terrible illnesses, people have hung on to personal practices that carried over from those times.

Some practices have probably saved lives even in some places before a pandemic has struck a country.  What COVID 19 has done is cause everyone to try to pull together the best practices, the best habits that slow or even stop the spread of the disease.

The first practice is this: STAY HOME.  Stay away from everyone else.  Have as little contact with others as possible.  This is especially true for anyone who feels sick, has a fever, or coughs a lot.  When in doubt, stay home.

The second is this: STAY SIX FEET AWAY FROM OTHERS. If you have to go out, avoid contact with people.  Go to the market as early as possible.  That may mean being very patient and standing and waiting so that once it is your turn, you can shop or do business at least six feet apart from others.

The third is this: WEAR A FACE COVERING. If you have to go out and may have to pass within six feet of others, show love for your neighbor by presuming you may have the virus but are not coughing or sneezing yet.  Some who are infected never show symptoms.  Most who are infected do not show symptoms until several days after they are infected but they can still spread the virus by touching or breathing on someone close or by talking or singing close to someone.  So while you may be just fine and not sick at all, you should cover your nose and mouth snugly with a cotton or other smooth tight weave that can catch tiny droplets that come out with your breath and hold them in to minimize their spread to those who have to be near you for some reason.

The fourth is this: DO NOT TOUCH ANY SURFACES.  This is nearly impossible when marketing or when out on other necessary errands.  Bump doors open with your hip or elbow.  Don't use your hands any more than absolutely needed.  Be assured that your skin, especially on your hands, will not let the viruses into your body (unless you have open sores of any kind).  But the more viruses you accumulate, the higher your risk is for some of them to get to your nose, mouth, or eyes.

The fifth is this: DISINFECT YOUR HANDS.  In many places, soap and water are readily available and you should wash your hands any time you feel you may have touched something that might have the virus on it.  Doctors recommend singing a song like "Happy Birthday to You" twice while washing so that you rub enough to get all the viruses off by the time you finish the song and rinse your hands.  Some places have hand sanitizer which is at least 60% alcohol which kills the viruses on your skin.  In places without such options, there may be plants, soils, mushrooms, or other natural materials that have anti-viral qualities that can kill the virus on your hands.  Or maybe someone makes a very strong alcohol beverage that would make a good hand sanitizer.  

The sixth is this: DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE.  Whether or not you can sanitize your hands, do not scratch your nose, rub your eyes, or put your fingers in your mouth.  While the skin on your hands can keep the virus out, any body opening, especially around the face, can allow the virus to find the warmth and moisture it needs to "germinate" and multiply and make you sick.

The seventh is this: LEAVE YOUR OUTSIDE SHOES AT THE DOOR.  Change to inside slippers if you need foot coverings at home and leave any possible viruses on your shoes away from your living space.  And if by chance you have been in crowds or out in areas where a lot of people are, you may by wise in putting your outer clothes into the laundry.  You may even want to wear some kind of outer covering that you can leave with your shoes when you get home.  (Muslim women may have originally worn Burkas and veils to protect them from viruses during a pandemic many centuries ago.)

The eighth is this:  DISINFECT YOUR HANDS.  I know this is also the fifth rule above but it is a reminder to sanitize your hands the best you can when you get home.

The ninth is this: IF YOU ARE SICK OR HAVE A FEVER, STAY HOME.  It is practically the same as the first, but if you are sick, you will infect others for sure if you go out.  Do not go out.  Stay home and take care of yourself so you can get well and then you can go out.  Sometimes that is impossible so following all the other rules above become extremely important.  

Other rules may be suggested or even be made mandatory.  Consider them and take them seriously.

If for no other reason, doing these things will slow the virus spread.  Those countries, counties, cities, and other places that have followed these personal hygiene and social distancing practices have slowed the pandemic.  The virus is very dangerous because it does not just go away.  But the fewer people who get the virus, the longer it will be before you get it.  And if we can prevent that as long as possible, a cure may be found or a vaccine may become available, and the pandemic will be over, all because you followed these best practices and STAYED HOME.

(Disclaimer: I am not a trained medical person, just an observer and reporter.  Doctors and other scientists will give more accurate information as they have a chance.)