With the coronavirus outbreak still high around the world, one thing that doctors like me know for sure is that COVID-19 is very good for infecting people – even those who have no symptoms, but can spread to you. Here are some ways you can catch the virus without realizing it. Keep reading and, to ensure your health and the health of others, do not miss these Clear signs that you have had the coronavirus.
1
You went shopping and mingled with other people
COVID-19 spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes small droplets with the virus in the air. If you breathe or touch the surface they land on, you can develop an infection. That is why social distance is very important and many stores are applying it. Do everything you can to get your food delivered – and, if you go shopping, stay at least two meters from the others, even when you’re in line, and follow my advice on the next slide.
two
You are touching high-touch objects
Supermarkets and gas stations provide an ideal environment for the spread of viruses, as many people touch and replace items, swipe credit cards, press buttons on parking ticket machines, ATMs and paper receipts. Despite recent headlines saying that the CDC has changed its position on the transmission of viruses on surfaces, they later clarified: “Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to people from surfaces infected with the virus has not been documented”, but “the evidence Current data suggest that SARS -CoV-2 may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made of a variety of materials. “
3
You are receiving deliveries at home and forgetting something important
Home deliveries are less risky than supermarket purchases, however, there is still a risk of possible contamination of the surface of any food or packaging or the delivery driver. The best practice is to discard the boxes and then wash your hands after handling the packages, says Dr. Fauci.
4
You are back in the “real world”
Now that cities are opening up, you can go back to work, to a shopping mall or to the cinema. To reduce the increase in new cases, you must be hyper-vigilant with your hygiene (wash your hands for 20 seconds, wear a mask, etc.), and a Yale infectious disease physician adds another important element to consider: Ask yourself if your mission is essential. If not, ignore it.
5
You are taking public transport
The use of public transport offers one of the greatest risks of obtaining COVID-19. In addition to the possibility of breathing the droplets of the air virus, there is a risk of infection by touching the surfaces. COVID-19 can survive on surfaces for up to 5 days. Handles, seats, ticket machines are touched by thousands of people every day and can contribute to the spread of the virus. In fact, the CDC only determined the use of masks during the trip.
6
You are selling and buying used things online
There are still some open sites where people can exchange used, new or unwanted items. The buyer or seller may be infected and spread this infection during the collection or delivery of the item. The virus can remain on the surface of the item and, by touching it, can become infected.
7
You are sharing your computer at work
If you cannot work from home or are an “essential” worker using a computer or shared equipment, be sure to clean it with a disinfectant cloth before using it. Clean it before and after using it to prepare it for the next person.
8
Your cell phone can be a good source of infection
Even if you wear gloves when shopping, on public transport or at work, when you touch the phone, you can transfer virus from the gloves to the surface of the phone. It is good practice not to use your phone as much – but, if necessary, clean it with a disinfectant cloth as soon as possible. The virus can remain on your phone and then be transferred to your hands. You can catch an infection without realizing it as soon as you touch your face or mouth with the infected hands.
9
You are wearing your wrong mask
The CDC recommends using face masks not only to protect you from being infected with droplets, but to prevent you from spreading the droplets. Here’s how they say you should use one:
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“Wash your hands before covering your face
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Place it over your nose and mouth and pin it under your chin
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Try to fit it comfortably on the sides of your face
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Make sure you can breathe easily
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Do not put the cover around your neck or forehead
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Do not touch the cover of your face and, if you do, wash your hands “
10
Do you think six feet are actually three feet
Remember the speaker’s episode near Seinfeld? Make sure that you are not one. To prevent the virus from spreading, stand about two meters away from someone when talking to them or when they are packed in a supermarket. Think about the length of a single bed, if that helps.
11
You found yourself in a crowd
It can happen: you are avoiding crowds, just like Dr. Fauci advised, but a musician is playing live music outside your local bar, so you stop to listen and you are suddenly surrounded by 30 other people, half of whom are using masks, many of which are standing, elbow to elbow. Excuse yourself as soon as you can – and don’t be shy about asking others – at the supermarket, park or traffic department – to stay two meters away. And to overcome this pandemic in the healthiest way, do not miss these 35 places you’re most likely to get the coronavirus.