COVID-19 Tips & Resources

By Lizzie London

THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN ON MARCH 28, 2020. INFORMATION MAY HAVE BEEN UPDATED.

We’ve all heard about how to stay safe from the Novel Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. At the time of writing this article, there are 660,173 confirmed cases worldwide, and the numbers are growing everyday. The U.S. has the most confirmed cases while Italy has the most deaths.

While most people have heard of tips like washing your hands and staying six feet away from people, there are some other easy things you can do to stay safe:

• Clean your phone and computer. These surfaces can harbor a lot of bacteria, and people often forget to clean them. Use Clorox wipes or a disinfecting spray that’s safe for electronics. Take off your phone case and wipe it down. Don’t touch your face or prepare food after touching electronics without washing your hands.

• Be careful around wounds and scrapes. While the main entrances to your body are on your face, scrapes and wounds could allow bacteria and viruses to enter your body. Use sterile bandages and antibacterial ointments to prevent infection.

• Keep nails short. As someone with long nails, this was a hard thing for me. Unless you have a nail brush every time you wash your hands, there can be bacteria under your nails. If you press your nails straight down into your palms, and the pads of your fingers aren’t touching your hand, they’re too long.

• Do self check-ins at least once a day. Ask yourself, “Do I feel sick?” “Do I have a fever right now?” Don’t get too worried that you might have COVID-19, but be aware of how you feel.

In these alternative times, it’s easy to get stressed or paranoid. “Be alert, not anxious,” says Dr. Mike Varshavski, a YouTuber and certified D.O. Take the time to stay informed and updated on the news surrounding COVID-19. Get information from reliable sources, the best being the World Health Organization or the Center for Disease Control.