Whilethe new cases of infections have dropped dramatically in China, things lookgrim in other countries, especially in India and the US.?Cases of people testing positive for the virus havebeen steadily rising in India and fear is palpable.?
For those unaware, as of now, India has reported 28confirmed cases of coronavirus according to Union Minister for Health Dr HarshVardhan.?
The 28 confirmed cases include three patients fromKerala who have already been discharged after their subsequent tests clearedthem of the deadly Covid-19 disease that has claimed more than 3,000 lives andinfected more than 90,000 people globally.?
Amid the sudden outbreak, there are a thousandquestions in everyone's mind, especially those who commute for work on a dailybasis.?During rush hour, commuters squeeze in to find any available space,with hands sharing poles and faces separated by inches using public transport can seem tricky right now.
1. Always wear a face mask.?
2. Carry a hand sanitizer at all times.?
3. Cover your face or move at least three feet away from anyone who iscoughing or sneezing.?
4. Wear a glove if you have to hold handles in the metroor public bus.
5. Taking an auto for short distances is the bestoption.?
Amid the outbreak in the US, New York Subway system started a major cleaning of all equipment that called for an industrial-grade disinfectant to be applied to everything from train cars to metro card machines every 72 hours.
New York's public transit system, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's dep clean strategy involved disinfecting subway turnstiles, station handrails, MetroCard and ticket vending machines daily.??
Hopefully, Indian Transport authority will also take a cue from the precautionary measures taken up by the New York transit system.?
In the wake of the sudden outbreak, workplacesacross the country have also taken necessary steps to ensure employee safety.Some companies might offer work from home. Mahindra Group Chairman AnandMahindra, who has been vocal about COVID-19 ever since the news of the virusfirst broke?speculatedthat the situation could accelerate the ¡®work from home¡¯ culture and lead tomore virtual conferences.
WASHING HANDS: While washing hands, use an alcohol-based rubor soap and water to kill the pathogen. Do this frequently.
COVER YOUR MOUTH WHILE COUGHING: Use a tissue, or your bent elbow, to coveryour cough -- this keeps virus-infected droplets away from those around you. Ifyou use a tissue, dispose of it quickly and safely.
SOCIAL DISTANCING: Stay at least 1 metre away from people coughing or sneezing to avoid inhaling droplets.
AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE: If the virus has contaminated yourhands after contact with another surface, it can infect you through your eyes,nose or mouth.
IF YOU ARE SICK: Here's a summary of WHO's advice for peopleliving in areas where the coronavirus is spreading, or who've travelled to suchplaces in the past two weeks. First and foremost, follow the hygiene measuresabove. If you're feeling under the weather, "even with mild symptoms suchas headache and a slight runny nose", then stay home till you get better.If you have fever, cough and breathing difficulties, go see a doctor. Informher (or him) about your travel history. Tell her if you've come into contactwith other travellers who may be at risk.