Unfortunately, there are still many people who aren't taking our situation seriously. While the coronavirus isn't fatal for most of the population, each and every one of us can and should help prevent the virus.
Table of contents
1. Why take preventive measures?
Maybe you're annoyed that so many businesses are closed , events are canceled, and trips are being cancelled. Perhaps you also think the recommendations to wash your hands more often, stay home, and avoid gathering in groups are way over the top.
But all of this can help reduce the rate of coronavirus infection . The biggest problem with the virus is that it's contagious even if you don't show any symptoms . The virus has an incubation period of up to 14 days . [1]
If you meet people who are considered to be at risk (people over 65 or with asthma, cancer, diabetes, chronic bronchitis or heart disease) during this time, this can have serious consequences .
If more and more people become infected with the virus and require intensive medical care, our healthcare system will suddenly be overwhelmed . The result would be that the sick people can no longer be adequately cared for . [2] You can probably guess what will happen next.
Preventive measures are slowing the rapid increase that has already occurred in recent weeks. This slows the spread of the virus, and our healthcare system is gradually able to treat and adequately care for all high-risk patients.
#flattenthecurve
3. Which preventive measures help?
1. Wash your hands
You've probably heard it a lot in the last few weeks, but one of the safest preventative measures is washing your hands regularly. You don't necessarily need sanitizer for this, though. Even regular soap can kill bacteria and germs if you wash your hands thoroughly for about 30 seconds .
2. Hand away from face
We know that our hands almost automatically go to our faces. But when you're out and about, you should be especially careful not to scratch your face until you've washed your hands.
3. Avoid crowds
A virus spreads most quickly where large numbers of people gather. This includes events, large gatherings, and public transport. But even at seemingly small private parties, the risk of infection is high. Therefore, we currently recommend avoiding any type of group gathering. [3]
4. Avoid shaking hands and hugging
If you do meet friends or relatives, or come into contact with people through work, be careful to avoid physical contact . No one will consider refraining from hugging friends or shaking hands when greeting colleagues impolite in the current situation. [4]
5. Vitamins and minerals
Your immune system needs a balanced and nutritious diet to function . This is the only way to provide your body with sufficient energy , vitamins , and minerals . A one-sided diet of pasta and ready-made sauces has the exact opposite effect.
BRAINEFFECT HACK : In light of current events, we've put together the IMMUNE BUNDLE for you. It contains natural minerals, antioxidants to combat oxidative stress, and vitamins D3 and K2 for additional support for your immune system.
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6. Don’t train too intensively
Intense training creates the open-window effect . This temporarily shuts down your immune system , making you more susceptible to illness. Instead, moderate or low-intensity training can actually strengthen your immune system in the long term.
7. Avoid stress
Even if you're inundated with news about the coronavirus every day, don't let it stress you out. Stress also weakens your immune system . Instead, check out our guide to managing stress and its 10 relaxation techniques.
3. Why preventive measures are prescribed by the state
You may be wondering why the government is interfering so much in your private life. Our government has acted quickly in recent days and banned large gatherings and events. Clubs, bars, cafes, restaurants, gyms, theaters, cinemas, and even shopping centers must currently remain closed.
With this, our state demonstrates that it cares about the well-being of the community . Even if we can't currently do as much as we're used to, it's the right decision. Otherwise, many people would probably still not take the current situation seriously, and the infection rate would continue to rise dramatically.
4. Sources
[1] WHO (2020): Report of the WHO-China Joint Mission on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Report. World Health Organization (WHO); 2020 February 16-24, 2020; quoted from RKI (2020) https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuhaftes_Coronavirus/Steckbrief.html#doc13776792bodyText3 (as of March 16, 2020)
[2] RKI (2020): COVID-19: Act now, plan ahead. https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Archiv/2020/Ausgaben/12_20.pdf?__blob=publicationFile (accessed March 16, 2020).
[3] NDR (2020): Coronavirus Update Episode 13; Script for the podcast interview with virologist Prof. Dr. Christian Drosten; https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/info/coronaskript126.pdf (as of March 16, 2020). [4] Federal Ministry of Health: Daily information on the coronavirus. https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/coronavirus.html (as of March 16, 2020).
