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TOOLBOX TALK

HOW TO AVOID COVID-19

1. How do you catch a Corona virus?
A. drinking too much Mexican beer
B. using a typewriter C. driving an old car
D. contact with someone who already has it.

2. What is Covid-19?
A. Captain James T Kirk’s first command in Star Trek
B. a biometric technology
C. the Coronavirus that began in China in late 2019.

3. What are the main symptoms of Covid-19?

A. High Temperature B. Dry cough
C. Breathlessness D. Runny nose E. Headache
F. Your flatmate saying ‘I told you skiing was dangerous’.

4. How long can a virus live outside the body?

A. 24 hours B. A week C. A month D. 3 months.

5. What is the best protection against Covid-19?

A. A condom
B. Washing hands for 20 seconds with soap HIGHER OR LOWER?
C. Washing hands often especially when you
get home or to work We’re all at risk from the Covid-19 virus but
D. Cleaning hands with alcohol-based some groups are more at risk than others.
sanitiser gel if there’s no soap and water Who is at higher or lower risk of Covid-19?
E. Sneezing into tissues (or sleeve) - not hands Older people - higher or lower
F. Binning used tissues right away Children - higher or lower
G. Avoiding contact with anyone unwell Smokers - higher or lower
H. Not touching your face (eyes, nose, mouth) Men - higher or lower
except after washing your hands. Women - higher or lower
People with weakened immune systems -
6. What is the best source of information
higher or lower
about Covid-19?
Social media users - higher or lower
A. the NHS website: nhs.uk/coronavirus
TOOLBOX TALKS: PUTTING THE HEALTH IN HEALTH AND SAFETY
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TOOLBOX TALK
HOW TO AVOID COVID-19
Quiz Answers
1. D. A Corona virus transmits by contact but a
bottle, any keyboard (eg. on a phone, laptop or
computer - not just a typewriter) or a steering wheel
may all have a virus on them. (See question 4.)
2. Covid-19 is C.
3. A, B and C (often in that order) are the main
symptoms - the others are possible. If you have
a high temperature and/or a new cough and live
alone, the NHS says you should stay at home for 7
days. If you live with others, everybody should stay
home for 14 days.
4. B is the best guess but it’s hard to say. Most
respiratory viruses such as corona viruses can
live on surfaces for a few days. It depends on
the surface and the temperature. Viruses survive
longest in colder, dry environments - that why we
have respiratory viruses (colds and flu) in winter.
5. Do all of these except A to avoid Covid-19
(condoms prevent other sorts of virus but probably
not this one - unless you put it on your nose.)
Higher or Lower risk?
Most people dying from Covid-19 are older (80%
over 60 in China) and/or have existing health issues.
The lungs of children are not fully developed until
their teens. It may offer some protection against
this particular virus. But it’s a myth that young
adults are not affected - many under 60s have died
including Li Wenliang, the Chinese doctor who first
raised the alarm about the new virus. He was 34.
It’s a respiratory virus so smokers are at more risk.
Men seem to be at more risk than women, judging
from evidence of China. This may be down to far
more Chinese men smoking. Or it may be the
slightly weakened immune response that puts men
at higher risk of respiratory viruses anyway. (Yes, it’s
true - flu does hit men harder than women.)
Social media is never a good source of health info.
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Visit
nhs.uk
URGENT: reduce contact with others
The government says avoid unnecessary social
contact including going out, public transport and
meetings. This is very important for :
• people over 70
• people with long-term conditions including
diabetes and lung problems,
• people with weakened immune systems and
• pregnant women.
Visit nhs.uk/coronavirus
Talking Points
• The government says we should work at home
if we can. Discuss your workplace policy on
what to do if you’re ill and reducing contact.
• What are the main risks at your work for passing
on Covid-19? How can you avoid them?
Top Tips
• Wash hands regularly and avoid
needless handshaking and kissing
• Only touch your face with clean hands
• Avoid touching door handles, switches etc - use
gloves, extend your sleeve or use your foot, hip,
elbow or parts of your hand you’re unlikely to
touch to your face (eg. your knuckle or closed fist)
• Use hand-gel (60-80% alcohol preferably) if it’s
available, especially at the hospital or GP’s
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue (and bin it
immediately). If there’s no alternative, use your
sleeve (but remember viruses can live for days on
clothing). Wash hands as soon as you can
More info at: nhs.uk/coronavirus
Personal advice (if you’re self-isolating
and symptoms worsen) at:
111.nhs.uk or call 111.