- Date : 15/04/2020
- Read: 3 mins
As the COVID-19 pandemic expands, senior citizens need to take specific precautions.
The ongoing coronavirus outbreak or COVID-19 epidemic has led to a nationwide lockdown and brought to light the significance of several coronavirus precautions such as lockdown for schools, social distancing measures, quarantine etc. Distressingly, the mortality statistics of COVID-19 across the world has been particularly lopsided against senior citizens.
Elderly people, particularly those with underlying medical comorbidities, are finding it hard to cope with coronavirus effects. Luckily, with proper care and precautions, coronavirus can be successfully evaded by senior citizens – in fact, by people of every age. Here are the main things to keep in mind:
1. Maintain personal hygiene
This is the most important measure for avoiding coronavirus. It includes washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, using alcohol-based hand sanitisers, and avoiding physical contact with others. You should avoid shaking hands or even a peck on the cheek. It is also advisable to clean and disinfect everything you get from outside, such as your milk cartons. Gatherings and public transportation should be avoided, and this has been made easier thanks to the lockdown.
Don’t forget to disinfect doorknobs, washbasin taps, and the sanitiser bottle itself.
Related: COVID-19: RBI governor press conference highlights you should know about
2. Take flu-related precautions
This is strongly recommended by the administration. This includes keeping clear of people who show flu symptoms, using masks and gloves to avoid direct contact with the virus, insisting that people around you cover their face with a flexed elbow or a disposable tissue while sneezing, and taking care to keep your underlying medical conditions in control.
Do not forget to frequently disinfect your spectacles, wristwatch, and mobile phone as these are in constant contact with your fingers.
Related: FM Sitharaman announces economic relief measures to quash coronavirus impact
3. Exercise caution while shopping
Purchase and use of household items must be done with adequate caution. Ideally, the healthiest member of the household should go outdoors for shopping. If you must go out to get the groceries, be careful with what you touch and use sanitisers regularly. As far as possible, try to get essential items home-delivered.
After bringing the provisions home, they must be left untouched for a few days or disinfected immediately. You should also consider washing your clothes and taking a shower on your return from the grocery store. Don’t use bleach or sanitiser on fruits, vegetables, and unpackaged food. Salt water, vinegar, or lemon are better and healthier alternatives.
4. Build a reliable support system
Building a support system will help you to be better prepared against coronavirus. You may consider hiring a nursing assistant or other healthcare staff to be on standby. Be in constant touch with friends and family who live near you, and good Samaritans in your neighbourhood. Don’t neglect to maintain social distancing while building your support system. Rely on phone calls, video calls, and text messages to stay in touch.
Related: Finance Minister announces Rs 1.7 trillion relief package to fight Coronavirus
5. Follow official guidelines
These are issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and echoed in the coronavirus guidelines issued by central and local administrations and ministries. These official apps and websites will keep you posted regarding the latest developments and help you steer clear of hoaxes and fake news.
A pandemic can be a trying time for all; not just physically but also emotionally. It is seen that during this lockdown, other streaming services are becoming an obvious entertainment choice. However, you can also use this time constructively to revive an old hobby or cultivate a new one. Have a hobby? Here’s how to monetise it as a side hustle
The ongoing coronavirus outbreak or COVID-19 epidemic has led to a nationwide lockdown and brought to light the significance of several coronavirus precautions such as lockdown for schools, social distancing measures, quarantine etc. Distressingly, the mortality statistics of COVID-19 across the world has been particularly lopsided against senior citizens.
Elderly people, particularly those with underlying medical comorbidities, are finding it hard to cope with coronavirus effects. Luckily, with proper care and precautions, coronavirus can be successfully evaded by senior citizens – in fact, by people of every age. Here are the main things to keep in mind:
1. Maintain personal hygiene
This is the most important measure for avoiding coronavirus. It includes washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, using alcohol-based hand sanitisers, and avoiding physical contact with others. You should avoid shaking hands or even a peck on the cheek. It is also advisable to clean and disinfect everything you get from outside, such as your milk cartons. Gatherings and public transportation should be avoided, and this has been made easier thanks to the lockdown.
Don’t forget to disinfect doorknobs, washbasin taps, and the sanitiser bottle itself.
Related: COVID-19: RBI governor press conference highlights you should know about
2. Take flu-related precautions
This is strongly recommended by the administration. This includes keeping clear of people who show flu symptoms, using masks and gloves to avoid direct contact with the virus, insisting that people around you cover their face with a flexed elbow or a disposable tissue while sneezing, and taking care to keep your underlying medical conditions in control.
Do not forget to frequently disinfect your spectacles, wristwatch, and mobile phone as these are in constant contact with your fingers.
Related: FM Sitharaman announces economic relief measures to quash coronavirus impact
3. Exercise caution while shopping
Purchase and use of household items must be done with adequate caution. Ideally, the healthiest member of the household should go outdoors for shopping. If you must go out to get the groceries, be careful with what you touch and use sanitisers regularly. As far as possible, try to get essential items home-delivered.
After bringing the provisions home, they must be left untouched for a few days or disinfected immediately. You should also consider washing your clothes and taking a shower on your return from the grocery store. Don’t use bleach or sanitiser on fruits, vegetables, and unpackaged food. Salt water, vinegar, or lemon are better and healthier alternatives.
4. Build a reliable support system
Building a support system will help you to be better prepared against coronavirus. You may consider hiring a nursing assistant or other healthcare staff to be on standby. Be in constant touch with friends and family who live near you, and good Samaritans in your neighbourhood. Don’t neglect to maintain social distancing while building your support system. Rely on phone calls, video calls, and text messages to stay in touch.
Related: Finance Minister announces Rs 1.7 trillion relief package to fight Coronavirus
5. Follow official guidelines
These are issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and echoed in the coronavirus guidelines issued by central and local administrations and ministries. These official apps and websites will keep you posted regarding the latest developments and help you steer clear of hoaxes and fake news.
A pandemic can be a trying time for all; not just physically but also emotionally. It is seen that during this lockdown, other streaming services are becoming an obvious entertainment choice. However, you can also use this time constructively to revive an old hobby or cultivate a new one. Have a hobby? Here’s how to monetise it as a side hustle
