As your community reopens, you may want to venture out to restore some normalcy to your life. If so, take precautions to minimize your risk of the disease. Choose your activities wisely to avoid putting yourself in precarious situations that can lead to coronavirus infection.
Here are additional precautions you can take while out to keep you safe from COVID-19:
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Face coverings and social distance. Wear a mask whenever you’re around others and practice social distancing. This is especially important whenever you’re in an indoor setting. Most businesses require that you wear a mask on their premises. If they don’t, wear one anyway for your own personal protection. Don’t shake hands or hug others when out and wash your hands immediately when you return home.
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Crowds. Avoid crowds as much as possible. This includes sports stadiums, crowded beaches, social events, bars, crowded restaurants, etc.
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Hand sanitizer. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer and use it frequently when out to disinfect your hands. You should also have wet wipes to wipe down surfaces that have been frequently touched by others.
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COVID symptoms. Become familiar with COVID-19 symptoms so you can monitor your health. If you start to exhibit symptoms like sudden fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain, inability to wake up or stay awake, confusion, or a bluish color on your lips, report them to your physician.
Before venturing out into public places, learn the facts about coronavirus – how it spreads, how to protect yourself, early symptoms – so you can make wise choices concerning your health and safety. By using wisdom, you can venture out safely during the pandemic without fear of contracting the disease.
Social Distancing vs. Social Isolation
Although it’s important to social distance and limit home visits, that doesn’t mean you have to go into isolation or seclusion. Isolation can lead to loneliness and depression due to being cut off from those you love. Fortunately, there are other ways to socialize besides in-person visits to keep you in sync with what’s happening with your family.
Modern technology has opened many doors for staying in touch with others during the pandemic to include video chats with family and friends, ZOOM calls or classes, email, text messages, and more. If you’re unfamiliar with how to use your smartphone, tablet, or computer for these purposes, now’s a good time to learn.
Ask a close friend or relative to set you up so you can take advantage of these devices to communicate with others during the pandemic. You can also keep in touch via telephone calls, cards, and letters.
Staying in touch with loved ones is important to your mental and emotional health, especially during a pandemic. So communicate often with those you love from the safety of your home, knowing it’s only a matter of time before you can all be together again.
About the author: Patrick Bailey is a professional writer mainly in the fields of mental health, addiction, alcoholic treatment programs, and living in recovery. He attempts to stay on top of the latest news in the addiction and the mental health world and enjoy writing about these topics to break the stigma associated with them.
Sources
ucsfhealth.org – FAQ Coronavirus and older adult patients
ncoa.org – UPDATED: Coronavirus: What Older Adults Need to Know
nytimes.com – How to Protect Older People From the Coronavirus
seattletimes.com – Tips to help senior citizens stay fit at home during the coronavirus pandemic
cdc.gov – Venturing out into a public setting? What to consider before you go.
cdc.gov – Know the facts about coronavirus disease 2019
hopkinsmedicine.org – Coronavirus and COVID-19: Caregiving for the Elderly
