Introduction
The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, has changed the way we live our lives. With the virus continuing to spread, it is important to understand how it is transmitted and how to protect yourself from it. This article will provide 25 ways you could catch COVID right now. From the basics of social distancing and wearing a mask to more specific scenarios, this article will provide you with the information you need to stay safe and healthy.
25 Ways You Could Catch COVID Right Now
The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a highly contagious virus that has spread rapidly across the world. While there is no known cure, there are ways to reduce your risk of catching the virus. Here are 25 ways you could catch COVID right now.
- Going to a crowded place, such as a shopping mall, concert, or sporting event.
- Having close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
- Touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated with the virus.
- Eating or drinking from contaminated food or drinks.
- Sharing utensils, cups, or other items with someone who has COVID-19.
- Being in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, such as a family member or friend.
- Being in a healthcare setting, such as a hospital or doctor’s office.
- Traveling to an area with a high rate of COVID-19.
- Attending a large gathering, such as a wedding or funeral.
- Visiting a nursing home or long-term care facility.
- Using public transportation, such as a bus, train, or airplane.
- Working in a job that requires close contact with others, such as a healthcare worker or restaurant employee.
- Living in a crowded living space, such as a dormitory or homeless shelter.
- Being in close contact with someone who has recently traveled to an area with a high rate of COVID-19.
- Being in close contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has COVID-19.
- Being in close contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently traveled to an area with a high rate of COVID-19.
- Being in close contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has COVID-19.
- Being in close contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently traveled to an area with a high rate of COVID-19.
- Being in close contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has COVID-19.
- Being in close contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently traveled to an area with a high rate of COVID-19.
- Being in close contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has COVID-19.
- Being in close contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently traveled to an area with a high rate of COVID-19.
- Being in close contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has recently been in contact with someone who has COVID-19.
It is important to remember that the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to practice good hygiene, such as washing your hands often and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. If you think you may have been exposed to the virus, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
The COVID vaccine is right here, “the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel,” as Dr. Anthony Fauci has mentioned. However till 75% or extra People are vaccinated, many people can nonetheless catch the extremely infectious and probably lethal coronavirus—even (or particularly) as cities reopen. “Whereas staying at dwelling will scale back the unfold, COVID-19 can nonetheless unfold in quite a few methods,” Dr. Daniel Atkinson, GP scientific lead at Handled.com, explains to Eat This, Not That! Well being. Listed here are the 25 methods you possibly can get contaminated—or infect a stranger or somebody you’re keen on—proper now. Learn on, and to make sure your well being and the well being of others, do not miss these Certain Indicators You’ve got Already Had Coronavirus.
“As extra roads, parks and trails begin to open up, extra densely populated trails, sidewalks, seashores and parks, forcing individuals to be in nearer proximity, may heighten this threat,” says Dr. Lili Barsky, an LA-based hospitalist and pressing care supplier with a cardiology focus. “Thus, I’d encourage individuals to keep away from such densely populated areas.” And even in the event you’re in an open, empty area, “I’d advise carrying round some type of masks, in case they discover themselves in a scenario the place they’re surrounded by individuals in shut proximity.”
“There is no manner of figuring out who has the virus round you particularly when some individuals are asymptomatic. And in the event you’re respiratory quickly resulting from cardio train, you’ll be able to improve the danger of intaking droplets within the air,” says Dr. Pran Yoganathan. “Due to this fact, go for a stroll or go for a run when there are much less busy individuals about. This will contain choosing unpopular occasions (noon) or within the night and avoiding fashionable occasions (early morning and within the afternoon).”
“You’ll be able to catch coronavirus outdoors primarily by coming into shut contact with somebody who’s an lively provider of the coronavirus or by coming into contact with droplets that include the coronavirus,” says Dr. Sanul Corrielus, a board-certified heart specialist. “By shut contact, I imply inside six ft of the one that is an lively provider of the coronavirus. It doesn’t essentially imply that you must be hugging or kissing with a purpose to catch the virus.”
“One thing you will have by no means considered that you just contact usually all through the day (whether or not you are inside or outdoors) are your eyeglasses. Your glasses have a excessive contact floor space and oftentimes it may possibly additionally carry quite a lot of germs,” says Dr. Jennifer Tsai, a VSP community eye physician. “Coronavirus can stay on laborious surfaces for as much as three days, which is why it’s so necessary that you just clear your glasses correctly to be sure that we will defend ourselves and keep wholesome.”
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“COVID-19 spreads much less generally by means of contact with contaminated surfaces,” says the CDC, and but they warn: “Respiratory droplets can even land on surfaces and objects. It’s doable that an individual may get COVID-19 by touching a floor or object that has the virus on it after which touching their very own mouth, nostril, or eyes.” On an escalator, “everybody holds onto the railing with their soiled palms, however individuals can get sick, and cough and sneeze they’re viral particles onto their palms and or railings, which then get transferred to the subsequent particular person,” says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, in personal follow at SkinSafe Dermatology and Pores and skin Care. “Want to carry on? Carry a bottle of alcohol-based gel sanitizer to make use of whenever you get to the highest or backside of the trip.”
“Everybody makes use of their soiled fingers to the touch the smudged, soiled, communal bank card swiping system, stylus or fee touchscreen,” says Dr. Shainhouse. “Bear in mind to not contact your eyes, nostril or mouth earlier than having an opportunity to scrub your palms with cleaning soap on the sink, or making use of and alcohol-based gel hand sanitizer, with a purpose to stop catching viruses.”
“Urgent the button to acquire your parking ticket, and later reinserting your ticket/bank card and utilizing the fee display or buttons for fee could be very germy,” says Dr. Shainhouse. “Hold a bottle of alcohol hand sanitizer contained in the aspect pocket of your automobile to scrub your palms as soon as you’re achieved (and earlier than you contact your steering wheel!).”
“To forestall touching germs and catching bugs, which may depart you affected by the identical cough, chilly, fever, aches and or chills,” advises Dr. Shainhouse. “Take into account opening doorways along with your sleeve, gloves, tissue or paper towel, and an alcohol-based gel sanitizer to scrub your palms afterward.”
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You needn’t wipe down each field of cereal. However wash your palms after bringing groceries into the home. “When individuals begin feeling that they should wipe issues down a number of occasions, there’s nothing incorrect with that. You would possibly wish to get some wipes and put them on the doorknob or one thing like that,” Fauci mentioned in a latest interview. “However to compulsively really feel like you’ll be able to’t contact one thing except you wipe it down would most likely create extra stress than it might actual safety. So what we are inclined to do is to inform individuals to actually simply wash your palms as ceaselessly as you probably can … and put on a masks.”
“Sharing meals or drinks places you in danger since you might be sharing these things with somebody who could have COVID-19 and never comprehend it,” says Robert Gomez, epidemiologist and COVID-19 professional at Parenting Pod. Somebody might be asymptomatic, and you possibly can be placing your self at pointless threat.
It’s not completely protected to return to your regular life. “The reality is we are going to seemingly see a gradual return to normality, unfold throughout a number of weeks and even months, maybe with faculties being reopened first, then semi-essential enterprise’ and providers,” explains Dr. Atkinson. Even if so, quite a lot of us will nonetheless be requested to stay at dwelling. “This contains quite a lot of jobs the place we will comfortably do that, equivalent to workplace jobs. If all of us rush into leaving our properties, it should have an especially destructive impression. I see no true return to regularity till a vaccine is” distributed to many extra individuals.
If you happen to’re residing in the identical family as anyone whose job has been judged as important—notably anyone working in a medical environment like nurses and docs, however any hospital workers additionally equivalent to cleaners and porters—you really want to attempt to restrict your exercise as a lot as doable, urges Dr. Atkinson. “This will apply even after we begin to see a rest of the lockdown,” he explains. “If you happen to stay with anyone who’s going out into the world, interacting with different individuals, touching all method of surfaces and objects, then the danger of them bringing the virus dwelling is way higher than that of a non-essential employee who’s simply been out for a jog.”
Let the time period “soiled cash” stay in your thoughts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. “Everyone knows that cash, as in cash and notes, is often soiled at the very best of occasions. It’s because it circulates within the monetary system for a number of years, usually many years, passing by means of dozens of palms because it does so, which makes it soiled and a possible provider for dangerous germs,” Dr. Atkinson explains. Whereas we have already witnessed an enormous uptake in cashless transactions, due partly to a number of retailers and supermarkets requesting this, he urges the significance of continuous this development to assist restrict the unfold. “I’d suggest we keep away from money the place doable till a vaccine is discovered and turns into broadly obtainable to most of the people,” he says.
Suppose twice about amping up your alcohol consumption or partying in a setting like this, urges Dr. Atkinson. First, alcohol lowers immunity and alters your widespread sense. “Within the pleasure of all of the rediscovered freedom, some would possibly drink extra alcohol than is sensible, they could change into much less inhibited and act extra impulsively, so might imagine much less concerning the significance of remaining vigilant in relation to the virus,” he says. Second, these settings encourage shut contact, which is one thing you most likely ought to keep away from till a vaccine is obtainable. “Keep away from bars,” says Fauci.
Whereas gyms and health studios had been included in Donald Trump’s first section of reopening the nation, they most likely aren’t the most secure locations to get your sweat on. Since COVID-19 is unfold primarily by means of small droplets, sweat-covered shared surfaces are sure-fire methods to simply transmit the virus from person-to-person. If you happen to do resolve to go to a health club, be certain that to wipe down surfaces and gear and disinfect your palms totally as you progress from machine to machine.
Elevator buttons are amongst surfaces that many people touched with out considering twice earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic modified our regular. “For people who find themselves nonetheless working, and for these of us who could have to return to work someday sooner or later, we are going to start to come across quite a few objects and gadgets that plenty of individuals contact, however that we don’t have to,” Dr. Atkinson factors out. When you’ll be able to, keep away from touching these things or exert diligent hygiene practices earlier than and after.
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You would possibly assume that sporting gloves helps preserve you protected in opposition to COVID-19. Nevertheless, in the event you aren’t following correct process they may be working in opposition to you. “Gloves if used ought to be eliminated and altered each time you allow and return to the home — ideally a number of occasions in between as nicely if gone for lengthy intervals of time as you’ll be touching your cellphone and face and so on,” says Purvi Parikh, MD, allergist with Allergy & Bronchial asthma Community. If not modified ceaselessly, your globes are choosing up all the identical germs your palms can and may transplant them onto your face and physique. Or: Do not put on them in any respect! “Ideally preserve washing your palms ceaselessly as that’s the easiest way to recollect to maintain your palms clear,” he urges. “Wash your palms earlier than and after you place gloves on and take them off a nicely.”
Whereas sporting a facemask is useful in slowing the unfold, material or selfmade masks must be washed as quickly as you come dwelling, says Dr. Parikh. “If they’re disposable, equivalent to surgical masks, they actually shouldn’t be cleaned or reused too ceaselessly,” he says.
Simply because public locations are reopening — equivalent to seashores, gyms, eating places, bars, and procuring facilities — does not imply it is best to go to them. “I’d strongly discourage public locations till we now have a greater affirmation of instances declining and NOT rising and an thought of how a lot of the inhabitants is immune,” factors out Dr. Parikh.
Many individuals are going to be going again to work. Nevertheless, Dr. Parikh strongly suggests taking some precautionary measures earlier than dropping your little one off with a caretaker. “I’d be certain that they’re socially remoted a minimum of two weeks earlier than taking good care of your youngsters and ensure they haven’t had any signs of fever or cough in these two weeks or been round anybody who has,” he says.
Sporting a masks—whether or not medical grade or material—could be extraordinarily uncomfortable. Not solely can they make it laborious to breathe, however almost inconceivable to speak with others. Nevertheless, even in the event you get the urge, Joseph Vinetz, MD, a Yale Medication infectious illness specialist, warns in opposition to dropping your masks down to speak or dropping the nostril portion right down to breathe higher, as it’s “defeating the aim of sporting a masks,” he factors out. “Not solely may you place another person prone to getting COVID-19 in the event you’re asymptomatic, you possibly can additionally unwittingly expose your self to the virus,” he explains. As an alternative, preserve your masks on the whole time you are in public to assist stop the virus from spreading.
Equally, it is best to keep away from touching your masks altogether. “On common, research present we contact our faces 23 occasions per hour!” Dr. Vinetz factors out. “Touching your face masks as a result of it is uncomfortable is comprehensible, but it surely’s additionally delivering germs and probably the COVID-19 virus on to your face masks.” Whereas it is laborious, he urges resisting the urge to the touch your face, “and in the event you should, use hand sanitizer or wash your palms first.”
Medical professionals are educated in the right way to take off PPE accurately to stop infecting themselves, however the remainder of us most likely aren’t, Dr. Vinetz factors. He suggests having a look on the CDC’s useful tutorial, providing step-by-step directions on the right way to placed on, put on, and take off a masks earlier than making an attempt to take action by yourself.
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It is seemingly been laborious on your youngsters to be away from their buddies for such an extended time period. Nevertheless, permitting them to renew playdates could be extremely dangerous for you and your loved ones. Remember that many youngsters who’re COVID-19 constructive are asymptomatic, which means they are often completely symptom free whereas carrying and spreading the virus. So, even when they appear wholesome, you might be exposing your complete household—and whoever else you’re coming into contact with—to the virus. If you happen to do resume playdates, attempt to remind them to comply with social distancing protocol, staying six ft away from one another, sporting face masks, and training hand hygiene.
In line with a latest CDC research, the novel coronavirus can stay on the soles of your sneakers. Whereas the probabilities of contracting the virus this manner are seemingly slim, it is best to nonetheless chorus from sporting your sneakers round the home, as you possibly can be spreading it — in addition to different icky germs and viruses — throughout your flooring with out even figuring out it. You must clear and sanitize your sneakers, and put on rubber or plastic sneakers at any time when doable, as they’re extraordinarily straightforward to scrub.
Bear in mind: The top of the virus will include assist from us all. “Each time the time comes after we see a rest of the current lockdown, it should nonetheless be as much as all of us to make sure we’re doing every part inside our capabilities to stop transmission till a vaccine turns into broadly obtainable,” says Dr. Atkinson. And to get by means of this pandemic at your healthiest, do not miss these 35 Locations You are Most More likely to Catch COVID.