Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic 2020
So much has happened since Wuhan, China first reported its coronavirus outbreak to the World Health Organization (WHO) on 31st December 2019. The outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency a month later as it spread around China and new cases were discovered in other parts of the world. WHO named the coronavirus COVID-19 on the 11th Feb 2020.
By 11th March, COVID-19 became a worldwide phenomenon after spreading through 114 countries and killing more than 4000 people. WHO then classified it as a pandemic. The large outbreaks at this point were in Italy, South Korea and U.S.A.
Updated COVID-19 cases around the world: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
I believe this is nature’s way of bringing the world back to a balance again. Throughout history, we have had devastating contagious diseases and sickness such as the plague, cholera and influenza that reduced the world of its population. Only the fit, healthy and strong survive. With research, improved knowledge. vaccination and medication, human have been able to better survive catastrophe such as these.
So now everyone around the world is affected by COVID-19 one way or another. Panic pandemic has joined the world where everyone is stockpiling and fighting each other for toilet rolls, pasta, milk, bottle water and more. There is no escape as everyone allows fear for basic mundane survival to take over.
Unfortunately, right now, the only way to prevent this illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. I cannot foresee this virus going away in the short term. Amidst all this, I can only say there is one caution. We need to be mindful and be vigilant to bring this crisis to a plateau and allow our scientists and medical experts to find the source, vaccine and perhaps a possible cure.
Let’s not let fear and ignorance blind us during this time. Instead, let’s focus on how we as individual can come together to overcome this crisis.
How to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Stop spreading fake news. We all mean well when we get new information on the news of COVID-19 but we should only share information that has been validated by CDC or WHO.
- Be mindful of how you sneeze and cough. Cover your mouth and nose with tissue, handkerchief or use the inside of your elbow. Throw the tissue directly into a bin and wash your handkerchief with soap and hot water. Do not sneeze or cough into another person’s face or open air.
- Practice social distancing. Reduce the need to be in a crowd or near to anyone.
- Avoid close contact. A distance of at least 6 feet or 1.5m is recommended.
- Self isolation for 14 days or more when you have been exposed to crowds and/or travel.
- Wear a face mask if you are sick or looking after a sick person.
- Avoid touching surfaces when outside. Use hand sanitizer to clean your hands if you do touch public surfaces.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as the bathroom sink, kitchen sink and table tops, etc.
- Boost your immune system. Remember to eat healthy and keep yourself hydrated.
- Keep fit. Keep the mind and body healthy by positive thoughts, meditation and, simple breathing and movement exercises.
- Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth with your hands. Our hands are the most likely channel of passing on germs and viruses.
- Wash your hands properly and frequently. Lather soap for at least for 20 second covering the in-between your fingers, under the nails, palms and back of your hands right up to the wrist. Reminder to save water while washing your hands. Only turn the tap on to wet your hands and to rinse the soap later off.
Please do stay safe and do the right things to protect yourself and your loved ones. When each and every one of us plays our part together in unity simultaneously against COVID-19, we will slowly but surely win this battle.
