While the spread of the new Coronavirus, or the COVID-19 virus, is now a serious health concern in South Africa, there are several simple and effective steps you can take to protect yourself, your family and others from infection. Following these five basic steps will reduce your risk and help to limit the spread of the disease.
Wash your hands (more often than ever)
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds every time. To do this thoroughly, follow the World Health Organisation’s step-by-step guide to proper handwashing.
How often is enough? Probably more than you think. Be sure to wash when taking each of the following actions:
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Before leaving your home. This prevents the spread of the virus to others (remember, you might not know you are carrying the COVID-19 virus if you don’t have the symptoms).
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When you arrive at your destination. This will remove the virus if you have come into contact with it on public transport, by touching doorknobs, lift buttons or other surfaces.
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Before preparing food.
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Before and after eating.
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After sneezing or coughing.
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After using the toilet.
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Before and after changing a baby’s nappy.
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Before and after caring for someone who is sick.
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After touching animals or animal waste.
Why is hand washing so important?
The COVID-19 virus spreads via tiny droplets from infected people when they sneeze or cough. These droplets land on surfaces and if you touch those surfaces and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth, the virus may enter your body.
Careful handwashing with soap and water is the most effective way of preventing infection, but if you don’t have access to soap and water or are on the go, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth
This step may be simple but it’s not necessarily easy. We touch our faces unconsciously, more often than we realise. Start by becoming aware of the impulse to touch your face and identify why you’re doing it. Is it merely a habit or do you have an itch? The more awareness you can develop, the better you’ll get at stopping yourself.
If you do catch yourself touching your face, don’t panic. If you are washing your hands regularly in the circumstances described in step 1, you have already reduced your risk of infection. Strive to become more mindful of your face-touching triggers and you will get better over time.
Why shouldn’t I touch my face?
Like other viruses, COVID-19 enters the body via mucous membranes – a type of tissue that acts as a pathway into the body. In the case of the eyes, nose and mouth, mucous membranes give the virus a direct pathway into the throat and lungs, where the virus takes hold and makes you sick.
Your hands touch many surfaces that might have been contaminated by the virus. The COVID-19 virus cannot enter your body via your skin (which acts as a protective layer), but once it’s on your hands, you can transfer it to your eyes, nose or mouth by touching them. It then has easy entry into your body via your mucous membranes.
Keep your distance
The South African government is currently advising ‘social distancing’, or avoiding unnecessary contact with people in public spaces. When you do need to be out and about, maintain at least one metre from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why do we need to limit contact with others?
The COVID-19 virus is carried in tiny droplets in the coughs and sneezes of infected people. If you are close enough to breathe in these droplets when someone coughs or sneezes, you could become infected.
Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing
You might have been taught to cough or sneeze into your closed fist but now is the time to change this habit. Rather than using your hand, use a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Then remember to dispose of the tissue and wash your hands immediately.
Why should I sneeze and cough into my elbow or a tissue?
This prevents the virus spreading directly to others via droplets or indirectly via droplets on your hands that then contaminate any surfaces you touch.
Stay informed
Follow the advice given by your healthcare provider, the Department of Health and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) on how to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus.
Why it’s important to choose your news sources carefully
Do not rely on Whatsapp groups or unofficial news sources for information on the COVID-19 virus – they often spread rumours or dangerously inaccurate information. National and local authorities will have the most accurate and up to date information on how to protect yourself and your family.
If you suspect you might have the COVID-19 virus, call your healthcare provider. Calling ahead prevents you from spreading – or being infected by – the coronavirus and allows your healthcare provider to direct you to the right facility.