The things you need to keep your family safe for COVID-19.
Photo by August de Richelieu from Pexels
The Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has shuffled the lives of many people into disarray. The technical name of the virus is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The virus was identified in China back in December. It didn’t take long for the World Health Organization to classify it as a public health concern in January. With over 14 million cases and 600,000 deaths, still counting, the risk is very real and there is no way to ignore it safely.
Here are some of the most important tips that should help you keep your family safe in the ongoing pandemic.
Appropriate education for all ages
Understanding the concept of an epidemic as an adult is not easy, and it’s even much harder for children to grasp. Since this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime major event, it’s not something that people were prepared for. Your children may have some vague idea about the seriousness of the pandemic, depending on their age. Parents can take advantage of simple games, stories, and artistic approaches to help their children understand the current conditions and how to cope with it. If they used to go to school for a while, they may suddenly feel like they’re in a prison due to the lockdowns. Help them understand that the situation is temporary and that they can still learn and have fun through safer means.
Shop online
There is a reason e-commerce is seeing a serious boom right now due to the pandemic. Most people are leaving their homes occasionally to do their shopping for essential items. Instead of exposing yourself or your family to high-risk areas, opt for online shopping platforms that follow safety standards. You may also want to check where to buy face shields and other tools that can help keep you safe outside. If you have to go out for any reason, you’ll want to make sure you’ve taken every precaution.
Avoid doctors during a non-emergency
Under normal circumstances, it’s advisable to visit a doctor’s office once you feel the symptoms of any ailment. But during this pandemic, a doctor’s office isn’t open for slight or mild cases; emergencies are the main reason behind them staying open. A hospital or clinic can be a hotspot for the Coronavirus, so the last thing you want your family to get exposed to is the virus just because of a routine doctor checkup. You can take advantage of telecommunications and use the services of telehealth providers as a safer alternative for non-emergencies.
Complete quarantine
This may sound easier said than done, but complete quarantine is the best way to keep your family safe from the virus. While social distancing has its proven benefits, it’s not as safe as self-isolation and complete quarantine. Carriers of the virus may not know it, which makes almost everyone outside your home a potential carrier. You don’t want your family to go out of home for any unnecessary reasons, even when the lockdown is initially gone. This will both help you stop the spreading of the virus if you are a carrier while ensuring that you’re safe from others as well.
If you happen to be someone in total seclusion with no close family members or friends around, which is a pretty improbable case, you don’t have to take any responsibility for their well-being. But if you are like most people who would like those around them to be safe, you may want to keep your family as safe as possible during such a crisis.