1.

Avoid exposure
Reducing exposure means following imposed guidelines on quarantine and distancing
yourself from others, especially when COVID-19 is spreading in your community. Stay at
home if you are sick, except to receive urgent medical care.

2. Observe proper hand hygiene

Hygiene starts with yourself, so practice proper handwashing. According to the World
Health Organization (WHO), the hands are the main pathways to germ transmission.
Remember to wash between your fingers and under your nails. Avoid touching your
eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands as the virus spreads easily this way. Key times
to wash your hands include:
● After blowing one’s nose, coughing or sneezing
● After using the restroom
● Before eating or preparing food
● After contact with animals
● Before and after providing care for someone in need of assistance (e.g. a child)
3. Sanitize your home
Keep your home neat and orderly by practicing regular cleaning and disinfecting, which
both help prevent infection. Regularly clean frequently-touched surfaces, like tables,
doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, and sinks. Remove visible dirt
on carpets and rugs before using appropriate cleaners.
Disinfecting means using chemicals like diluted household bleach and solutions with at
least 70 percent rubbing alcohol to remove contamination. Remember to clean dirty
surfaces with detergent or soap and water first before disinfecting.
4. Check-in on your loved ones
With technology literally at the palm of our hands, connecting with others is easier and
more accessible. Talk to people, especially those you trust, about your concerns and
worries. It is crucial, especially at a time like this, to keep in touch with your loved ones
and see how they are doing.
In a pandemic like this, protecting ourselves and those around us can be summed up in
simple habits that start with ourselves and in our own homes. Do your best to stay
healthy, and use your time while on quarantine wisely and productively.
5. Make use of your health plan
Now is a crucial time to inquire on health plans. Having a health plan gives you a safety
net to support treatment and hospital expenses in the future. As many insurance firms in
the country are now offering assistance for COVID-19 patients, make sure you and your
family have an insurance plan that covers healthcare, especially critical illnesses.
6. Take care of your mental health, too
Take occasional breaks from reading, watching and listening to COVID-19-related news,
including social media. While it is good to stay updated and vigilant, repeatedly
consuming content about the health crisis can be upsetting. Find time to unwind and
focus on other activities that you enjoy too. Check out our recommendations on Things
to Do at Home During the Coronavirus Outbreak to get your every day better.