The coronavirus is currently spreading worldwide. The number of new infections is rising every day, putting healthcare systems under severe strain. Everyone can do something to slow the spread of the virus. You too. Here are the ultimate tips!
Table of contents
Infections are often transmitted through droplets —small aerosols containing pathogens that are released into the air when coughing and sneezing. To avoid this, using tissues is the first choice.
But even here, germs stick around and are transferred to your hands, which you then use to touch your phone, your face, money, and other people. It's a vicious cycle. To protect yourself and those around you from this, you can do the following:
1. Keep your distance
Whether you're coughing, sniffling, or completely normal and seemingly healthy: keep your distance from others during times of infection. Keyword: social distancing. The Robert Koch Institute recommends a distance of about one to two meters to prevent the viruses from reaching you. [1]
Want to give your immune system a boost, especially now when it's so important? Then try our IMMUNE BUNDLE with the ultimate ESSENTIALS for normal immune function:
{{widget type="egproducts/list_productbyid2" product_id="636" img_width="250" img_height="335" template="elegento/products/productteaser_by_id_2.phtml"}}
2. Wash your hands
Washing your hands regularly and thoroughly is essential to protect yourself from infection. This has been proven to significantly minimize the number of pathogens present on your hands, thus breaking the chain of infection.
How does this work? The Federal Center for Health Education explains:
- Hold your hands under the tap.
- Then, thoroughly lather the palms and backs of your hands, the spaces between your fingers and thumbs, and your fingernails. Use liquid soap if possible.
- You should be very thorough and take at least 20 to 30 seconds . A quick tip to avoid having to reach for the stopwatch: sing "Happy Birthday" twice in a row, and you'll be on the right track.
- Now rinse off the soap scum and use your elbow to close the faucet.
- Then dry your hands with disposable towels. [2]
3. Coughing and sneezing etiquette: into the crook of your arm
1. Disposable tissues are the best choice. They should be thrown away immediately after use and not put in your pocket.
2. If you feel the urge to sneeze before you have a tissue handy, please sneeze or cough into your elbow and NOT INTO YOUR HAND! This will minimize the risk of infection to others.
4. Keep your hands away from your face
Viruses can reach virtually everywhere via the hands. Mucous membranes, in particular, are the gateway for these unpleasant pathogens in the case of colds and infections. This is where the conditions are ideal for their reproduction. Therefore, avoid touching your face, rubbing your eyes or nose, or putting your fingers in your mouth. [3]
Take-home message: To protect yourself and others from infectious diseases, it's important to wash your hands regularly and thoroughly. Sanitizer is an add-on, but not essential. Be careful not to touch your face with your hands, and if you don't have a tissue handy, sneeze into your elbow.
Want to stay up to date on coronavirus developments and learn what you can do now to strengthen your immune system and work efficiently from home? Then follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter . We'll keep you updated.
5. Sources
[1] Robert Koch Institute (2020) Novel Coronavirus: Hygiene Measures for Non-Medical Emergency Services. https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Hygienemassnahmen_Einsatzkraefte.pdf?__blob=publicationFile, accessed on March 12, 2020.
[2] Federal Center for Health Education (2020) Handwashing. https://www.infektionsschutz.de/haendewaschen/, accessed on: 17 March 2020
[3] Federal Ministry of Health (2020) Daily information on the coronavirus. https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/coronavirus.html, accessed on March 17, 2020
