Most countries around the world have seen cases of COVID-19 and many are experiencing terrible outbreaks, while some other countries have succeeded in slowing down its outbreaks, which included Malaysia!
Malaysia is currently in the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) phase, which means more and more people are now out and about in public places.
Photo via Free Malaysia Today
So, how do we make sure that we are not exposed to the COVID-19 virus?
According to the World Health Organisation, wearing a mask alone will NOT protect you. To fight the COVID-19 virus, we must ensure physical distancing and frequent hand washing, too.
You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking simple precautions:
Photo via LifeSavvy
1. Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Why? Because washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
2. Maintain at least 1 metre distance between yourself and others. Why? When someone coughs, sneezes, or speaks - they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain the virus.
If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets including the COVID-19 virus (if the person has the disease)
3. Avoid going to crowded places. Why? When people come together in crowds, you are more likely to come into close contact with someone that has COVID-19 and it is more difficult to maintain physical distance.
4. Stop touching your eyes, nose, and mouth! Why? Your hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, your hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose, and mouth; and from there the virus can enter your body and infect you!
Photo via Ochsner Health
5. Make sure you (and the people around you) follow good respiratory hygiene. You feel like sneezing or coughing? Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a clean tissue! Dispose the used tissue immediately and wash your hands!
Why? Remember, DROPLETS CAN SPREAD THE VIRUS. By following good respiratory hygiene, you can protect yourself and the people around you from viruses such as the common cold, flu, and even COVID-19!
Photo via Medical News Today
6. Feeling unwell? You’re coughing and sneezing a lot? Stay home and self-isolate! Yes, stay at home even with minor symptoms such as cough, headache, mild fever - stay home until you recover.
Have someone bring you supplies and if you really need to leave your house, make sure to ALWAYS have a mask on and stay 1-metre away from people to avoid infecting others. Why? Staying away from other people will protect them from contracting any viruses.
7. If your fever and cough get worse and you have difficulty breathing, it’s time to call the doctor. Call your doctor by telephone if possible and follow the directions of the health officers.
Why? Our local authorities have all the precautions and information to make sure that a COVID-19 patient does not come into contact with other people. Trust them, they know what to do! Calling in advance will allow your local authority to quickly direct you to the right health facility.
8. Most importantly, keep up to date on the latest information from trusted sources such as WHO or our local and national health authorities.
So far, Malaysia has recorded 9,374 positive cases and 128 deaths.
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Posted by Astro Radio News on Thursday, September 3, 2020
We still have a long way to go before COVID-19 is gone for good. Keep yourself and your family safe and DO NOT take the SOPs for granted.
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
