Unfortunately, Dec/Jan was the time for Preparation & Containment - Now is the time for Mitigation..
Now as we enter March, the time is for mitigation....entirely different scenario and response.
It doesn't mean you don't prepare, but now its harder. It doesn't mean you don't contain - you do, but its harder now.
We all have to practice good health measures now and here are things you can do:
-Take good care of your immune system. Take Vitamin and health supplements. Avoid Alcohol. Sleep.
-Wash hands frequently.
- Wipe hard surfaces clean frequently.
- No handshaking, high fives, hugs when you greet people. "Namaste" hands held together is a good way to keep your hands from going to someones hand and a slight bow. My kids are doing "Bum bumps" to side in opposite direction or elbow bump if they need to "touch"
- Place a hand sanitizer (non-touch dispenser) or pump near the front door or entrance to your building. (Hopefully if you can find some hand sanitizer - there still are online supply places). If you can't, there are some formulas for making some that you can make a home made batch along with essential oils from Lavender and put in an empty pump dispenser. Encourage anyone coming near your home and entering or in your intermediate community to be sanitizing hands.
- Don't touch the railings, hand rails, door knobs etc. if you can avoid it. Wipe them down or put sanitizer on your hand after.
- Avoid going out or gatherings. Now is not the time to attend conferences, large meetings, sporting events, concert.
- Conduct more video meetings for work. Zoom and VSee are great. Skype Meetings and even Facetime.
- Its ok to NOT go to Church, synagogue, mosque now for next month. Your God will forgive you. (Even the Pope is suspected to have been infected).
- Self quarantine if you think there is a chance you are sick for at least a week - two weeks.
- Avoid and steer clear of anyone coughing or sneezing. Cough and sneeze into the crease of your elbow.
- Wear glasses and gloves if you can - it helps avoid aerosol spray into your eyes and gloves help you avoid touching your face - same for facemasks or scarfs.
- Thinking of a vacation or have one planned in next two months? Postpone it till at least May or June or later and see what is happening and determine then. Maybe instead take a week off in the next month and just stay home.
- Maybe start exercising and yoga at home and taking walks etc. Health Clubs and Yoga Studios might not be the best places to be going as people sweat and gather closely. If you do go, wipe things down before and after and try to be on outskirts away from people.
- Dating? Maybe now is time to have a dating diet and not meeting strangers for a date or even going out on date night or going to a bar and being in close proximity.
- Stock up on canned foods and juices and food that keeps and have at least a month supply for you and your family. Avoid going to the supermarket if you can and use delivery services if you need something. If you have to go to the store - go once a week max and wipe down the handle on the cart or basket and avoid touching surfaces. Don't bring your children to the store. Offer to help elderly neighbors to do shopping runs and bringing grocery goods back for them.
- Stock up on cleaning and sanitation supplies, OTC meds and prescription meds for at least 2-3 months.
- Identify in your home a room that would be where a person in your family who might be sick can self quarantine. Best option is a Master bedroom with its own bathroom. Ideally it would have even access from another means to getting in and out (i.e.. a balcony for fresh air or patio to outside and means for food, supplies to brought to them. Figure literally a way that you could care or be cared for at home and be prepared. In the event of mass pandemic, the last place you want to be going (and may not be able to go) is the hospital or emergency room. You want to keep the community safe and yourself.
There is much more....but these are the things we can do right now ourselves and need to do.
= new reply since forum marked as read
The Ro (infection transmission factor) is 1-1.5 for influenza....
The Ro for COVID-19 is 2-3
Twice as high of a transmission rate - in addition to the incubation period is 1-2 days for influenza - for COVID-19 is 7-14 days.
The survival of influenza on hard surfaces - 24 hours
The suspected survival of COVID-19 on hard surfaces - 1 week - 28 days (shorter in warmer conditions - longer in colder)
That's really awesome....it means you have good neighbors and you all are looking out for one another....
The only way we are going to be able to mitigate....
