Support your local healthcare workers
Over the past few weeks our lives have been compromised by the coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2, and health care workers are toiling on the front lines of COVID-19, facing long working hours and serious risks to their own personal health and that of their families at home. To prevent hospitals from becoming overcrowded, people all across the world are trying to minimize infection. The main goal is to slow down the spread of coronavirus.
The proven key to containing the epidemic
The most effective measure in the fight against the spread of SARS-CoV-2 has a name:
physical distancing which, according to experts, is a more appropriate wording than the commonly used expression of ‘social’ distancing. This includes everything from keeping physical distance to not leaving your home. With some patience, good will and cooperation, we can all make a contribution.
Here’s how everybody can practice social distancing
- Follow all instructions and recommendations from the authorities in your home country.
- Stay at home as much as possible.
- If possible, work from home and conduct virtual meetings.
- If you are outside, do not touch surfaces which are regularly touched by others. Wash your hands right away when you come home.
- Try to avoid public transportation, use your bike, walk or if necessary take your car.
- Do your grocery shopping by keeping the distance or make use of online shopping with delivery service. Offer your help to people at risk to do grocery shopping for them.
- When you go out for a walk or some individual sport, stay away from others.
- Avoid visiting other people, especially older adults and those in poor health.
Some tips on how to keep yourself and your family positive and well-balanced
- Control how, where and when you consume news to avoid adding stress to your life by being under “constant bombardment” from negative news.
- Allow yourself to be sad, scared or angry, but don't let those emotions dominate your mood the whole day. Humor can help.
- Stay connected. Social distancing does not mean social isolation. Use technology to keep in touch with friends and family, and talk to them via phone or video-calls.
- Explain your children what's happening and try to continue having a daily routine especially with school children in your household. Ensure that they continue doing their schoolwork.
- Exercise at home. Just because your gym is closed doesn’t mean that you can’t do a daily exercise routine.
- Use the time for things that you had postponed or you haven’t found the time for before: Spend quality time with your children and/or your partner, improve your skills and know-how with online trainings and tutorials, read books, create a photo album, do gardening if you have a garden, tidy up your house or flat...
- Now is the time and the various excuses we have all made before are invalid.
