Staying home is the safest way to protect yourself in the midst of a new Corona virus pandemic or COVID-19. But there are times when someone has to leave home to meet important needs, such as to the supermarket to shop for food supplies and household needs or to the pharmacy to buy medicine.
Therefore, there are some things that need to be considered when outside to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, both for yourself and for families who are waiting at home.
The following are 10 tips to prevent transmission of COVID-19 when leaving home:
Don't Leave Anyone Behind
Before leaving home, make sure you have prepared and brought all the important items needed.
Things like keys, wallets, hand sanitizers or disinfecting wipes are some crucial tools that need attention.
If you get left behind and force you to go back and take it, then the panic will unknowingly make you unmindful of self-protection and living areas, such as touching various surfaces in the house without thinking about anticipating contamination.
When you get back home, be sure to clean or disinfect your belongings immediately.
Also, avoid putting your bag on surfaces that you use frequently such as tables or kitchen tables, just place it on the floor.
Prepare Hand Sanitizer and Disinfectant Wipes
You cannot always avoid touching objects when outside, from door handles to food.
Using a hand sanitizer or disinfecting tissue can stop the virus from spreading to everything from the time you leave home to returning.
Use when handling items in the shop, touch the trolley or door and always do it before touching your face.
Avoid Transactions Using Cash
In an effort to reduce the risk of transmission, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns anyone to avoid cash payment methods.
WHO claims that cash has the potential to transmit bacteria and viruses because it changes hands too often.
And even if you use a card, you still have to disinfect it when it's finished.
Wear a Face Mask
Until now there is still disagreement about whether the use of face masks can prevent the spread of coronavirus.
On the one hand, WHO does not recommend the use of masks even though it is currently being investigated.
On the other hand, several other health experts recommend using face masks to protect yourself from becoming infected or infecting others.
It's just that they add that the biggest problem related to the use of masks is that many don't use it properly.
Therefore, they strongly recommend avoiding putting their hands under the mask, either to touch their mouth or scratch their nose.
Maintain a distance
Keeping a distance of 1 to 2 meters from others is one of the best ways to avoid the spread of the Corona virus.
Although it is quite complicated to do in stores, but this method can be done when waiting in line, walking or crossing the street.
Some small shops only allow a number of people to be inside the store and let others queue until someone comes out. This method can also reduce the risk of transmission.
As much as possible do not use hand touch
You can easily spread bacteria or viruses to yourself if you touch other objects or faces.
Alternatively, you can try using your elbows, feet, or knuckles when you open the door or press a button.
Although this method does not fully guarantee virus prevention, it is easier to avoid its spread and you can also immediately wash your clothes when you get home.
Avoid Unpackaged Products
Unpackaged products, especially open foods, are very at risk of virus contamination. These products can be confirmed to have been widely touched and consuming it certainly increases your chances of contracting the virus.
Therefore, instead choose food that is packaged so that the food in it is better protected from the touch of many hands.
If you are forced to buy food without packaging, then use gloves to get it and clean it when you get home.
Wash hands immediately after arrival at home
As soon as you get home, you should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water before touching other objects, followed by cleaning your entire body (showering).
We recommend that you keep the clothes you wear when you go away from all your other clothes and do not sit on a chair or anywhere while wearing it.
When washing the clothes, if possible use water with a temperature of at least 60 degrees to reduce the risk of viruses that may be attached to your clothes to survive longer.
If you can't wash it, leave it for a few weeks away from everything before using it again.
Clean the cellphone
Mobile phones have become a part of life inherent in the body every day. This electronic device is not only often stared, but also often touched. That's why cell phones become one of the things that carries the most bacteria.
If you are traveling outside the home, unless there is something very urgent, try to always keep it in a bag or pocket.
Also, don't forget to clean your phone regularly or more often, depending on its use. Check out some tips on cleaning your cell phone to prevent Corona virus infections or bacteria and other dangerous viruses.
Vehicle Washing
Whatever your vehicle, whether it's a bicycle, motorcycle or car, when you are traveling, your vehicle also has the potential to be infested with viruses.
In order to reduce the risk, it is strongly recommended to immediately wash the vehicle upon arrival at home, especially the parts that are often touched, such as door handles, steering wheel, gear lever and so on.
10 Tips to Prevent COVID-19 Transmission When Going Out of the House
Staying home is the safest way to protect yourself in the midst of a new Corona virus pandemic or COVID-19. The following are 10 tips to prevent transmission of COVID-19 when leaving home: