Introduction
The COVID-19 outbreak has changed the way we live our lives. With the virus spreading rapidly, it is important to stay informed and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family. Eating the right foods can help boost your immune system and reduce your risk of infection. This article will provide you with some tips on what to eat and what to avoid during the COVID-19 outbreak. We will discuss the importance of eating a balanced diet, the benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables, and the potential risks of eating processed and packaged foods. We will also provide some helpful tips on how to make healthy food choices during this difficult time. By following these guidelines, you can help protect yourself and your family from the virus.
Things Everyone Should Know About the COVID Outbreak Now — Eat This Not That
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live our lives, and it’s important to stay informed about the latest developments. Here are some key things everyone should know about the COVID outbreak now:
1. Wear a Mask
Wearing a face mask is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19. It’s important to wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth when you’re in public, and to make sure it fits snugly against your face. It’s also important to remember to wash your hands before and after putting on and taking off your mask.
2. Practice Social Distancing
Social distancing is another important way to protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19. This means avoiding large gatherings and keeping at least 6 feet away from other people when you’re in public. It’s also important to avoid close contact with people who are sick, and to stay home as much as possible.
3. Eat This, Not That
Eating a healthy diet is important for staying healthy during the COVID outbreak. Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help boost your immune system and keep you feeling your best. It’s also important to avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and foods high in saturated fat and sodium.
4. Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for staying healthy during the COVID outbreak. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night, and try to stick to a regular sleep schedule. Avoid using screens before bed, and make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet to help you get a good night’s rest.
5. Stay Informed
Staying informed about the latest developments in the COVID outbreak is important for staying safe. Make sure to follow reliable sources of information, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and your local health department, for the most up-to-date information.
The number of people infected by the disease continues to change every day. While the impact of the disease varies by location, there are more than 519.5 million confirmed cases of people with COVID-19 around the globe and more than 6.2 million people have died from the disease, according to the WHO. (While some news sources report different numbers, the WHO provides official counts of confirmed cases once a day.)
The CDC provides a rough picture of the outbreak in the U.S. here, currently putting the total confirmed and probable cases at more than 81.5 million and estimating more than 994,000 deaths. The CDC also reports that 82.6% of adults and children ages 5 and older in the U.S. have had at least one vaccination shot and 70.4% of people in the same age group are fully vaccinated (meaning they have received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson’s single shot inoculation).
According to the CDC, reported COVID-19 illnesses have ranged from mild (with no reported symptoms in some cases) to severe to the point of requiring hospitalization, intensive care, and/or a ventilator. COVID-19 illnesses can also lead to death. While people of all ages can be infected, the risk for complications increases with age. People living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and people of all ages with underlying health conditions (such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and obesity) also are at high risk for serious illness.
COVID-19 also has led to serious illness and even death in younger and middle-aged adults who are otherwise healthy. While most children have mild or no symptoms, some have gotten severely ill. As with adults, even if children have no symptoms, they can spread the virus to others.
While most people recover in a matter of weeks, some adults and children experience post-COVID conditions known as “long COVID,” which can appear weeks after infection and can include a range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems. These range from fatigue and muscle pain to—in extreme cases—autoimmune conditions and multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a condition where different body parts become swollen. Even people who had mild symptoms or no symptoms at all when they were infected can have post-COVID conditions.
It helps that experts have a better idea now about how the virus is transmitted from one person to another. According to the CDC, COVID-19 is spread in three ways:
- By breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus;
- Having these droplets and particles land on the eyes, nose, or mouth:
- Or touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with hands that have the virus on them.
In general, the CDC says, the more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread, and indoor spaces are more risky than outdoor spaces.
In addition, droplets can land on surfaces, and people may get the virus by touching those surfaces, although, according to the CDC, this is not thought to be the main way COVID-19 spreads.
Viruses are known to change constantly. Scientists are working to learn more about these variants and their spread, and how they could affect the severity of illness in people who get the virus. They have been studying Omicron closely since it surfaced. There is also more to learn about how long the vaccines can protect people.
