SARS-CoV-2 is the causative virus that led to the Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic. It is an infectious virus that dominates all areas and even the air.
It is considered one of the most dangerous viruses causing serious problems like flu and many other respiratory diseases.
As it is known, this virus spreads rapidly and it moves through breathing, touching and coughing.
It also lives on dirty surfaces. It can take from two days to fourteen days for the symptoms to start showing after virus exposure.
The most susceptible groups are patients of chronic disease and the elderly.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms?
Infected persons may suffer from pains and aches, nasal congestion or flu, sore throat, maybe diarrhoea.
In addition to this, they also lose their sense of smell and taste and their temperature will be on the rise.
Once you feel lazy, even in the case of light symptoms such as headache, a slight rise in temperature and flu stay at home in order to recover.
Quarantining oneself is only requested to those having serious symptoms. It is also asked of those who had tested positive for Coronavirus.
Usually, infected persons are required to stay home or in healthcare for a fourteen-day period for the complete recovery of their health.
Ways of Protection
A way to protect yourself from the onslaught of the virus is to stay at home.
Authorities have instructed citizens to not move to infected places and to stay away from other people.
People are asked not to meet their friends and even family (unless they live in the same house) at such a precarious time.
If at all they were to meet at anyone at any point in time they are asked to maintain a safe distance.
Any physical intimacy such as kissing, hugging sharing personal belongings or drinking from the same bottle is strictly prohibited as the virus can travel through air and water droplets.
Keeping your hands clean and not touching your face is also highly recommended. Sanitizers are kept at the entrance of every shop and organisations.
People are also not let into establishments if they are not wearing a face mask.
While it doesn't eliminate the threat of the virus it certainly slows down the spread of the virus.
Wearing a mask is one of the easiest ways to ensure one's safety from the onslaught of the virus.
But Is Wearing a Mask Enough?
Simply wearing a mask does not guarantee your safety against COVID-19 pandemic.
You must make sure that you follow several other guidelines to keep yourself clean and safe.
Washing your hands very well for about 40-60 seconds under running water is recommended.
Rub your hands with soap or alcohol and dry it properly by using a tissue.
Cover your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, use tissues and make sure to dispose of it in a trash can.
Sneeze by bending the elbow then wash the hands or simply use a tissue and dispose of it safely.
Maintain the safe distance (1.5 m) between people, do not touch the eyes, nose and the mouth before washing hands.
Additionally, indoor areas should be very well ventilated and outdoor areas should be used well.
Why and Who Must Wear a Mask?
The first reason is to protect yourself especially if you have breathing problems like coughing, sneezing and difficulty in breathing.
The second reason is to protect yourself from others who may have breathing problems.
One important group of people who must always wear a mask are the healthcare workers who are always around patients tested positive for the virus and other diseases.
Elderly people especially those above the age of 60 must wear a mask as they are susceptible to the disease.
People with chronic diseases must also adorn a mask at all time as they are also equally susceptible to the disease because of their weak immunity.
Others working in service sectors and in busy traffic areas like bus and taxi services, shops and supermarkets and other crowded work areas, where maintaining a safe distance is not always an option must also wear masks.
Activate the Mask
First of all, and always wash hands before and after using the mask. Apply procedures to reduce the infection.
Use it properly (explained below) and finally, get rid of the mask as soon as you finish your day's use of it.
How To Use a Mask Properly?
Start by washing your hands properly. Check that for any holes or tears in the mask. It must also be dry so as to not attract the virus.
Put on the metal line on the nose side. The coloured side should always face outside.
Be careful that nose and chin are well covered to make sure that your nostrils and mouth are not in direct contact with the air.
It is imperative that the mask is not to be touched nor should it be placed down anywhere.
Once you have to take it off remove it from the ears' side only and throw it directly into the bin. A medical mask is designed to be once only.
This means that you must take a fresh mask the next day and not continue to use the last day's mask again.
After disposing of the used mask wash your hands thoroughly.
What To Be Careful About?
Never use a mask that came from an already opened packet and never wear a wide one.
Do not touch the external side of the mask. Never remove it when talking and always wash your hands.
A very serious principle is: The medical staff and the infected patients should never use a cotton mask.
What About Non-Medical Mask and Fabric Mask?
With the extensive need for reusable masks, people around the world have invented another type of mask: Non-medical masks.
They are manufactured mainly with cotton, polyester and some have a layer of non-absorbent material inside.
The method of using these masks are the same as those employed in a medical mask but with a few additional rules.
Once you finish from usage, you should remove it from the ribbon and let it away from your face.
You can wash it under the condition of it is not torn or is too dirty. It should be washed by putting the mask in a small bag and then into the washing machine.
Use high temperature and soap at least once per day.
Attention
Do not put the mask under the nose or on the chin. Never let anyone use your non-medical mask.
Finally, be about careful and choose a medium mask (not wide nor tight).
Edited by: Christeena George
Written by: Rayan Issa
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