How to protect others from transmitting the Corona virus infection to them if you are infected.. and how to protect yourself from infection if you are taking care of an infected person

Weather of Arabia - With the emergence of new mutants of the Corona virus that are more able to spread, the importance of the preventive measures that the patient must follow to protect others and help prevent the spread of infection, and the presence and care of an infected person at home puts you in a difficult situation to protect yourself and avoid infection, But with some measures, it becomes easier, and these are simple steps and procedures that help you protect others (if you are infected) and protect yourself.

How to protect others from infection if you are sick

1. Stay home and don't go to work, school, university or public areas, except to get medical care.
2. Avoid using public transportation, cars ordered via apps, or taxis.
3. Stay as isolated as possible in one room, away from your family and other people. This includes dining in your room. Open the windows to keep the air fresh. Use a separate bathroom if possible.
4. Avoid being in the common spaces of your home as much as possible. When using common spaces, limit your movements. Maintain good ventilation in your kitchen and other common spaces. Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from family members.
5. Clean frequently touched surfaces in your room and bathroom daily, such as electronic devices, doorknobs, tables, and light switches.
6. Avoid sharing personal household items, such as dishes, towels, bedding, and electronic devices.
7. Wear a mask when you are around others. Change the mask daily.
8. If you cannot wear a mask, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing. Then, discard the tissue, or wash it if it's a cloth.
9. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

How to protect yourself from infection while caring for someone infected with the Corona virus

To protect yourself while caring for someone with COVID-19, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend the following:

1. Keep your hands clean and away from your face.
2. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after close contact with or being in the same room with a sick person.
3. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth.
4. Wear a mask: If you have to be in the same room as a sick person and that person cannot wear a mask, wear one yourself, and do not touch the mask while you are wearing it.
5. Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from the sick person.
6. If the mask gets wet or dirty, replace it with a clean, dry mask, dispose of the used mask and wash your hands.
7. Clean your home regularly: Daily use household cleaning sprays or wipes to clean frequently touched surfaces, including kitchen counters, tables and doorknobs.
8. Avoid cleaning the separate room and bathroom for the sick person.
9. Allocate cutlery to the patient separately, as well as bedding and accessories.
10. Take care when washing clothes: Avoid shaking soiled clothes, use a normal laundry product to wash the patient's clothes. Set the washing machine settings to the highest appropriate temperature. Wash your hands after putting clothes in the dryer. And dry the clothes completely.
11. If you must touch the patient's clothing if it is soiled: Wear disposable gloves and keep soiled clothing away from your body. Then wash your hands after removing gloves, and put dirty gloves and masks in a covered wastebasket in the patient's room. Clean and sterilize laundry baskets and wash your hands afterwards.
12. Handle food dishes with care: Wear gloves when handling plates, cups, or utensils used by the patient. Wash cutlery with soap and hot water or in the dishwasher. Clean your hands after removing gloves or handling equipment used by the patient.
13. Avoid contact with patient's body fluids: Wear gloves and a single-use mask when providing oral or respiratory care to an infected person and when handling stool, urine or other waste. Wash your hands before and after removing gloves and a mask. Do not repeatedly use the same masks or gloves.
14. Avoid bringing non-essential visitors into your home: Do not allow visitors to come in until the patient is fully recovered and has no signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

Take care of your mental health

If you are caring for a loved one who has coronavirus, you may feel stressed. You may be concerned about your own health and the health of the sick person. Take these steps to take care of your mental health and avoid anxiety:

• Follow a daily routine that includes showering and wearing appropriate clothing.
• Take a break from coronavirus news, including following social media.
• Eat healthy meals and drink plenty of fluids.
• Do exercise.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Stretch, take deep breaths, or meditate.
• Focus on doing interesting activities.
• Connect with others and express your feelings.
• Do not forget to fortify yourself with remembrances and to ask God Almighty for safety and wellness.

Taking care of yourself may help you cope with stress. It also makes you able to support your loved one during recovery.