One of the biggest tips to stay safe during the Covid-19 pandemic is still the same as it was from the beginning – stay at home as much as possible to avoid catching or spreading the virus. This is the best way to ensure you are prevented from coming into contact with the coronavirus until which time there is a vaccine or effective treatment available. This is especially applicable to those with underlying health conditions or the elderly; and in the case of those with rheumatoid arthritis who are taking immune-suppressant medications, this holds true. One needs to “shield” oneself from situations where one is put at risk of exposure to the virus.
Many countries are currently working on developing a vaccine and have recently touted breakthroughs in their scientific investigations. Antibody tests have also been developed recently which will provide the means to understand whether people have already been exposed to the virus. When a person gets infected with it, the body starts making antibodies to fight the infection and after recovery, these antibodies float in the blood for months and even possibly, years. At this stage, it is presumed that one is immune to getting it again if one has had it.
With some easing of lockdown announced in certain job sectors recently, some people have returned to work. Wear a mask when you leave the house, whether to go to work, shopping, exercising, for whatever reason, wear your mask. Remember to wash your hands regularly and if you don’t have access to appropriate facilities, sanitize your hands instead. Don’t forget social distancing when interfacing with people you don’t live with so as to avoid potential contact and exposure to the virus. Don’t touch your face. Always avoid shared surfaces. Don’t share food with others outside of your home and steer clear of crowded places.
If someone in your household gets sick, ensure they are isolated from others in the house.
If possible, stay at home! Be safe. Be healthy.
Charlene Lamb is a strategic communications professional and has enjoyed an illustrious career in the corporate world before steering her public relations consultancy in South Africa and the United Kingdom. She also enjoyed an exciting time as a journalist in the United States, interviewing many famous personalities. She is married and has three energetic fur babies: her Jack Russells, Chilli, Vlekkie and Sammy and is passionate about primates and the welfare of animals.
