Updated: 3/13/2020 7:40 pm

The same precautions we should take to protect ourselves from colds and seasonal influenza will also help reduce our risk of contracting the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Wash Your Hands

Soap works better than alcohol and disinfectants at destroying the structure of viruses.

Hand washing is critical in slowing the spread of respiratory viruses and other bugs, and it’s one of several measures the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends for reducing your risk of COVID-19, influenza, and more.

And CDC recommends washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Soap works better than alcohol and disinfectants at destroying the structure of viruses.

Soap dissolves the fat membrane, and the virus falls apart like a house of cards and “dies,” or rather, it becomes inactive as viruses aren’t really alive. Viruses can be active outside the body for hours, even days.

But, if soap and water aren’t available at the moment, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that’s at least 6-percent alcohol. That’s a good practice year round.

In your home, it’s a good idea to regularly clean frequently touched surfaces, like doorknobs, handles, and counters.

Disinfectants, or liquids, wipes, gels and creams containing alcohol are not as good as regular soap. Apart from alcohol and soap, antibacterial agents in those products don’t affect the virus structure much. Consequently, many antibacterial products are basically just an expensive version of soap in how they act on viruses.

Soap is the best, but alcohol wipes are good when soap is not practical or handy, for example in office reception areas.

Importance of Social Distancing

Early data suggests that older people, and those with underlying chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease might be at risk for more serious complications from the virus. It’s most important for people at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19—including older adults and those with underlying health conditions—to begin taking social distancing measures.

The logic behind social distancing rests on two key scientific facts about the virus.

• First, scientists say that its spread requires close contact—being directly coughed on or sneezed at by someone with the disease, or by being within 6 feet of an infected person for about 10 to 15 minutes or more.
• Second, the virus can survive on surfaces for hours or even days. 

The key to avoiding the disease is keeping a safe distance from sick people, from people with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath, and try to not touch surfaces that may have the virus on them. It also means washing your hands carefully, so you don’t transfer virus to your mouth, nose, or eyes, where it can enter your system.

Stop Buying Masks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention doesn’t recommend face masks for those who are well; they should be used by people who show symptoms of coronavirus to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.

Face masks aren’t an effective way to prevent the illness for most healthy people, according to the CDC and the World Health Organization. That includes plain, loose-fitting masks sometimes called surgical masks; tighter-fitting N95 respirators, which filter out 95 percent of airborne particles; and reusable face masks sometimes advertised as dust masks.  

Any benefit healthy people may get from wearing a mask is likely modest. In fact, if you’re not sick or taking care of people who are, wearing a mask comes with downsides. Both surgical masks and N95 respirators are only meant to be used once and then thrown away. But consumers may be tempted to reuse them, possibly spreading the virus to other surfaces or items.

Sources:

1. https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/stay-safe-from-coronavirus-while-on-the-go/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_FB
2. https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/how-to-protect-yourself-from-coronavirus/
3. https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/do-you-need-a-mask-to-prevent-coronavirus/