Minghao Zhou | On 21, Oct 2020

In 2020, the whole world is facing a problem that is the new coronavirus.

What is the new coronavirus?

The current virus is a new strain of the already existing coronavirus. The virus, called COVID-19, can cause mild symptoms, such as a cold, or may also cause severe symptoms, such as pneumonia. It is very contagious. When an infected person sneezes, coughs or talks, COVID-19 can be transmitted through their moist droplets.

As of October 9, 36.8 million people have been infected worldwide. 

How can we avoid this infection?

1. Wear a Mask

The main mode of transmission for COVID-19 is air and contact transmission. Wear a mask to filter out possible viruses and avoid possible respiratory transmission.

Wearing a mask is to protect yourself and others. In crowded places, masks must be worn. You can choose to wear N95 masks or medical surgical masks, both of which are equally effective. Other masks have weaker protective effects. Note that the blue side of a medical surgical mask should face outward. Change your mask every four hours.

If you cannot wear a mask, then when coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth with clothing on your shoulders or arms to prevent droplets from flying. This should become a habit. If you cover your mouth with your hands, wash your hands as soon as possible.

2. Reduce Hand Pollution

When people are outdoors, it is their hands that are most likely to carry pathogens. For example, people often put their hands on things like escalators and subway poles on their way to and from work. When they later touch other items, these pathogens they picked up may be transferred to those items, and thus passed to other people.

The first thing you should do when you enter the house is to wash your hands. When you go out, you may be exposed to pollution in all aspects such as purchasing, transportation, and daily contact. It is especially important to wash your hands as soon as you get home. Use hand sanitizer or soap for at least 20 seconds each time.

A lot of contact transmission is from the hand to the nose and mouth. Now it is has been suggested that the COVID-19 is transmitted through the eyes. Hands are most likely to come into contact with the source of pollution. Get rid of the usual bad habits of biting your fingers, biting pencils, picking your nose, and rubbing your eyes.

If you have such a habit that is difficult to change for a while, wash your hands often.

3. Watch for Symptoms

If you have fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, nasal congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea… Please seek medical treatment for the safety of yourself and your loved ones.