For over a year, Covid-19 has continued to wreak havoc across the country! With the arrival of the second wave, India has witnessed an exponential rise in the number of cases as the new variants spread much faster among the population. Apparently noticing the current situation, the fear and panic has reinstated in the minds of people that is taking a toll on their mental health as well.

 

In these unprecedented times, it is important to empower yourself with the right knowledge and focus on the things that you can control. Remember, it’s never too late to take measures.

Here are five simple measures in order to protect yourself and your family from the second wave of pandemic. 

 

1. Practice precautionary measures

 

Now it’s been more than a year following basic precautionary measures such as wearing a mask, washing hands regularly, following social distancing and so on. While some have mastered themselves, others might have started taking the measures too casually ! The second wave of Covid-19 has hit hard in the country, reminding everyone to follow the covid appropriate behaviour rigorously. Even if you are perfectly fit or vaccinated it is still necessary to continue following strict protocols at crowded places.

Also, it is necessary to self-isolate after contracting Covid-19 symptoms to protect others around you. Consult your doctor and keep yourself updated by visiting the right sources.

 

2. Get vaccinated

 

Since, the vaccination has been rolled out for people aged above 18 years a large number of the population falls into the category of eligibility. Once you get vaccinated, your body begins to produce antibodies which help your immune system to fight the virus, reducing the chances of getting infected. Even if you get infected, the vaccine will help lower the risks associated with it.

In India, Covidshield and Covaxin are the two prominent vaccines that are available at different government and private centers.  The government has developed a special Co-WIN website where people can register using the mobile number and select the nearby center, vaccine, and time-slot accordingly. All the instructions regarding vaccination are already mentioned on the website, one should read it carefully before registering. If you have any comorbidities, it is advisable to discuss it with your physician before getting vaccinated. 

 

3. Double Masking is the Key

 

At this time, we are all aware that the second wave has been quite severe compared to the first one. The transmission of Covid-19 virus through aerosols increased the cases of mild to severe symptomatic patients. Now, the CDC has issued new guidelines recommending double masking as one of the effective preventive measures against the spread of the virus. It is important that people wear well-fitted surgical & cloth masks at crowded places that lead to lower the risks of infection and transmissibility. 

 

4. Wash and Sanitize Hands regularly

 

It is one of the basic practices that needs to be followed diligently. According to experts, the virus has the ability to linger on for a while especially on solid surfaces. So if you have come in contact with any contaminated object or surface, it may increase your risk of getting the infection. While washing hands regularly with soap and water is the first step of prevention, sanitizing touched surfaces and objects with disinfectants and maintaining a healthy hygiene protects you and your loved ones to some great extent.

 

5. Proper Ventilation is must

 

In poorly ventilated rooms, the risk of transmitting Covid-19 virus increases more than outdoors.In such cases, if an infected person breathes, speaks, sneezes or coughs, he/she release particles (droplets or aerosols) containing virus that will stay longer in the air even after the person has left the space. Having a proper ventilation system reduces the chances of spreading the infection with the availability of fresh air. The more fresh air brought inside, the quicker any airborne virus will be removed from the room.

 

Good ventilation does not prevent the spread of Covid-19 infection through close contact but somehow, it is an effective step to reduce the spread of contagious infection in critical times.