With 2020 behind us and a vaccine currently being administered in the United States, there is hope regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the worst may not be behind us. Not only do health experts believe that we will have an “outbreak after another” as a result of the holiday season, but the detection of two new variants of SARS COV-2 – much more infectious than the previous one – is likely to result in an increase in infections, hospitalizations and even deaths. So, what can you do to avoid COVID-19 this year? In a new interview, Dr. Henry Walke, COVID-19 incident manager at CDC, reveals everything you need to prioritize to stay safe. Keep reading – and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss out on these Clear signs that you’ve had the coronavirus.
Beginning, Dr. Walke discussed the new variants detected in the UK and South Africa. “Both seem to infect people more easily,” he explained. “It is important to know that, at the moment, there is no evidence that either of these variants causes more serious illness or increases the risk of death.” However, “because these variants seem to spread more easily”, he maintains the importance of being “even more vigilant in our preventive measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
To that end, Dr. Walke emphasizes the importance of wearing masks. “When you wear a mask, you protect yourself and others,” says the CDC. “COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets. Respiratory droplets travel through the air when you cough, sneeze, speak, shout or sing. These droplets can fall on the mouth or nose of people who are nearby from you or they can breathe these droplets. “
To avoid the spread of COVID-19, social distance is essential, recalls Dr. Walke. This involves “staying at least two meters away from people we don’t live with,” he specifies. The CDC adds: “The mask is NOT a substitute for social detachment. Masks should still be worn, as well as being at least 6 feet away, especially when indoors near people who do not live in your home.”
“Avoiding large meetings” and crowds is also crucial, says Walke. Do not go. If necessary, “wear masks in public environments, such as public and mass transportation, at events and meetings, and anywhere near other people,” says the CDC. “Use social detachment (stay at least 2 meters away from others). Before you go, call and ask what extra prevention strategies they are using, such as requiring employees to wear masks.”
While the CDC and other health experts continually remind that “outdoors is better than indoors” when it comes to preventing the spread of the coronavirus, Dr. Walke insists on the importance of “ventilating indoor spaces” if you choose to stay indoors.
Finally, practicing hand hygiene, or “washing your hands frequently”, is extremely important in case you come into physical contact with the virus.
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Furthermore, if we have any hope of controlling COVID-19, it is extremely important that people are vaccinated. “Make a commitment to be vaccinated when it is your turn and encourage everyone you know to do the same. I am confident that covid-19 vaccination is the way we help, ”said Walke. “Images of people being vaccinated shared on news and social media have flooded and the team shares stories of family members and friends who have been vaccinated. I want to thank the men and women who have already rolled up their sleeves to get a vaccine and look forward to joining them. when my turn comes. “
“We firmly believe that our mitigation measures in our orientation will now work” in preventing the spread of the newest COVID-19 variants, Walke recalled at the end of his Q&A. Again, you can help stop this increase, no matter where you live – use a face mask, social distance, avoid large crowds, do not go home with people you are not sheltering (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, be vaccinated when it is available to you and to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 places you’re most likely to reach COVID.