Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Advice On How to Protect Yourself

The World Health Organization recently announced the Coronavirus or COVID-19 is now a global pandemic. Many leading public health bodies have provided detailed advice on how to protect you. We’ve condensed it down to a short, quick read. Here’s what they have to say.

Protection

The first thing public health organizations suggest is to wash your hands. This is especially true if you have recently been traveling on a bus, train, tube or other forms of public transport. This means properly washing your hands as well. Wash them for twenty seconds, focusing on all parts of the hands, not just the palms. Back of the hands, around the nails, around the wrist and in between your fingers. Once you are done, turn off the tap using tissue and throw that tissue in the bin.

Secondly, avoid touching your face, nose, mouth, and eyes, as this is one way the virus can enter your body. Touch your face only when you’ve washed your hands prior. Experts think that coronavirus is spread by droplets that come from your mouth and nose. This means you need to cover these areas when you sneeze or cough. Try and catch them with tissues, then wash your hands. Disposable tissues are better than the handkerchiefs you carry. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into the crevice of your elbow. This means that the droplets are away from your hands. As silly as it may sound, try and avoid touching things with your hands. This means handrails, buttons, door handles, etc.

Try and stay away from people who are ill. If they are unwell, stay away from them, the closer you are, the more likely the virus is likely to spread to you. Apart from this, life should continue as usual. Meaning you should go to school, work, etc. and carry on with your daily life.

If you think you are exhibiting the symptoms of coronavirus, do not rush to the doctor. Instead, call your local advice hotline. If you are in the UK that is 111.

Symptomology

The current evidence suggests a range of symptoms associated with coronavirus. These are the most well-supported symptoms:

• Fever
• Dry Cough
• Shortness of Breath

These symptoms can be present, but are less common:

• Headache
• General Aches and Pains
• Fatigue
• Exhaustion

These systems have been reported in some cases:

• Sore Throat
• Sneezing
• Stuffy Nose

The virus seems to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough. After seven days, shortness of breath may become apparent. Here, the individual should contact for medical advice. This is a condensed, brief advice message for protection and awareness of symptoms pertaining to the coronavirus.

Common questions and answers for employees:

What if I need to take time off work because I contract COVID-19? Employees who are ill should use their employer paid sick leave. Remember, medical certification can be done electronically. This can be emailed to your healthcare provider and emailed back to you to provide to your employer.

If I become seriously ill and I need to quit my job as a result of COVID-19, will I qualify for unemployment benefits?

You may qualify for Paid Family & Medical Leave while you are sick. Once you recover and are available for work again, you can apply for unemployment benefits.

What if I am asked by a medical professional or public health official to quarantine as a result of COVID-19, but I am not sick?

If you are following guidance issued by a medical professional or public health official to isolate or quarantine yourself as a result of exposure to COVID-19 and you are not receiving paid sick leave from your employer, you may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. If you know you can return to your job as soon as your isolation or quarantine is lifted, you may not need to search for work. You must be able to accept any work offered by your employer that would not cause you to break isolation or quarantine.

What if my employer goes out of business as a result of COVID-19?

You may be eligible for unemployment benefits if you’re out of work due to a lack of work. (These benefits are intended to assist workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own.)

What is a request to isolate or quarantine?

A request to isolate or quarantine is: A letter documenting a voluntary request or involuntary order to isolate or quarantine from a medical professional, local health official, or the Secretary of Health.

A note from your medical provider or medical records officer recommending isolation or quarantine.

A self-determination that Department of Health’s quarantine guidance applies to you.