The coronavirus has first made us lock ourselves. In India, the central government announced the first lockdown on March 24 for a period of three weeks. The lockdown then got extended in phases till May 31. From June onwards the central government in accordance with the state governments started the unlock process. Now, we are on the verge of unlock 5.0. Now a lot of places where people throng in large numbers are open, including gyms, restaurants, malls… However, Covid-19 is spreading way faster than ever. In this context, it’s of utmost importance to know how to stay safe.
Knowing that the time hasn’t come yet to relax is our first defence against Covid-19. The coronavirus is spreading faster than ever. Unlike in the past, there are not many restrictions in place. It just means that you must be extra vigilant in terms of your safety.
Personal Hygiene
Covid-19 has taught you to up your personal hygiene standards. You wash your hands frequently using soap and water. In the absence of soap and water, you use an alcohol-based sanitizer. You don’t run your hands on the counterpane while at the shop. You touch the doorknobs if it’s absolutely necessary and immediately apply sanitizer on your hands. These are ideal practices. So, just continue with these.
Be Cautious About Public Transport
With buses started plying and metros open, you tend to use them, particularly if your work from home routine has ended and you’re summoned to the office. But the question is: should you? Well, it depends. If you don’t own a car or two-wheeler, you may not have any other choice. In such cases, maintain physical distance and adhere to stringent hygiene practices. But in case, if your office is close by or within a few kilometres distance, try walking to work or cycling.
Respiratory Hygiene
Masks have become an inevitable part of our lives. What does mask do? It helps us to maintain respiratory hygiene. Wearing masks helps in curbing the infection to a great extent. Make sure that you cover your nose and mouth properly while sneezing or coughing. Wear it all the time, particularly while being outdoors including offices, public places, etc.
Social Distancing
Maintaining distance while being outdoors is of critical importance to curb the coronavirus menace. Always make sure that you stay at least 6 feet away from others when you’re out to purchase essentials or being in a queue for your takeaways.
Immunity
While a lot of studies suggest that immunity cannot be built overnight, it’s true that maintaining healthy eating habits will help you in strengthening your immune system. Try to include a lot of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Also eat plenty of whole grains and develop the habit of including healthy fats in your diet. Cut down on high-in-sodium junk foods and foods that are high in sugar.
Remember, lockdown is not a permanent solution. And a vaccine is still quite far away. With everything open and life back to normalcy, let’s not forget the fact that Covid-19 is still uncontrollable. Let’s take adequate measures to protect us against the virus. Let’s stay safe.
Dr. Ashashri Upadhya | Senior Dietician – Clinical Nutrition | Sahyadri Narayana Multispecialty Hospital Shimoga