Advice from doctors, health experts: travel safer during the outbreak of the coronavirus

In the past few days, the mass media has continuously updated the news of acute coronary pneumonia caused by the coronavirus. However, the WHO recommends "no tourism restrictions" or "unnecessary" international trade to prevent pneumonia. The statement was made by WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a press conference on February 4.  Above all, people need to stay calm, follow medical directions, and band together to fight the disease.

Countries with patients infected with the coronavirus

By February 5, there were almost 25,000 corona virus infections worldwide. Belgium becomes a country that has the 26th territory the corona virus. The disease killed 492 people and has 907 recovered infections.

Dr. Rebecca Katz - professor and director of the Center for Global Health Sciences and Security at Georgetown University, gave some advice for people to protect themselves and their surroundings.

What visitors need to do to travel safer during the coronavirus outbreak

Stay away from sick people

For your own safety, according to Dr. Robert Amler, former CDC Professional Director, director of the New York University of Medicine and Pharmacy, maintain a social distance from other people within 1 m. If you come into contact with someone who shows a cough or spits out mucus, you should stay at least 2 m away.

Like the flu, the coronavirus is transmitted by small drops of saliva. As far as we know, if you stay in a room with someone, you won't get sick. However, if you are close enough to accidentally inhale small particles, you may be more susceptible.

Wear the mask

The corona virus has a size of approximately 150 to 200 nm (nanometers) and mainly occurs in large droplets of saliva. The use of a medical mask prevents water-containing virus particles from spreading to the sick person through sneezing or coughing. You should use a personal mask once and then replace it. Avoid using them over and over again.

Wash your hands often and properly

The best way to prevent the corona virus is to wash your hands with soap and water - Straits Times quoted Dr. Kalisvar Marimuthu, senior advisor on infectious diseases at the National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID) in Singapore. knows.

Soap and water reduce the number of all germs on your hands. Therefore, regular washing should keep your hands clean. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer of at least 60% is a good option.

Bring a personal pillow case when traveling

Most studies with conventional commercial aircraft have shown that the front shelf and the rear seat pockets carry germs from previous passengers. For those who are particularly concerned or have an immune problem, please bring your own pillow case when you travel with you and bring a disinfectant solution to clean your seat.

Wear gloves when traveling by public transportation

In addition to Wuhan and the provinces in China, the risk of infection with 2019-nCoV in buses or trains in the rest of the world is very low. However, to ensure safety at this time of year, you shouldn't wear gloves when you travel by train - a bad idea - said Dr. Amler. He noted that following these advice and recommendations from the CDC will not only help reduce the risk of coronavirus infection while traveling, but also help prevent the flu.

Recognize symptoms and proactively explain your state of health if necessary

Dr. Katz said the symptoms of the corona virus were very similar to the flu: "You have a fever, cough (mainly due to lower respiratory viral infections), discomfort and possibly some problems. Gastrointestinal tract complications can be pneumonia or Kidney complications.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of the corona virus can appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure to the virus. If you think you might get the Corona virus, Dr. recommends Katz that you immediately inform the tour operator or call your doctor immediately instead of being late.

Correct understanding of the coronavirus to best prevent disease

The disease does NOT IMMEDIATELY when the coronavirus is inhaled

The coronavirus receptor is initially deep in the human lungs. A person must inhale a sufficient amount before the virus can bind to the receptors in the lungs.

Virus does not exist in the air

The corona virus is spread by droplets that are released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes or does not swim in the air.

Normal contact does NOT spread the disease

Normal contact does not cause infection. They are only at risk of being around 2 million patients and inhaling tiny drops of water because they cough or sneeze without shielding themselves.

Touching the CONTAINER UNCERTAIN virus

Water droplets containing viruses fall to the ground when an infected person coughs. If others accidentally touch their right hand, the likelihood of infection is still low because these droplets must contain enough viruses to reach the receptors in the lungs. If you touch a surface that contains coronavirus, just wash your hands before touching the face to avoid the possibility of infection.

The corona virus does NOT spread through the skin

Coronavirus is not transmitted from the skin, mainly through the respiratory tract. However, recent research by Chinese experts shows that this virus can be transmitted from the gastrointestinal tract.

Infected people MUST wear a mask

Face masks are a must for all sick people in order not to pass them on to others. Face masks prevent liquids from escaping

Wearing only one mask does NOT prevent illness

For those who are not infected, wearing a mask is not safe enough. Even more people touch their faces with their hands to adjust the masks. This leads to infection of the hands and increases the likelihood of infection.

NOT subjective in hand hygiene

Everyone must keep their hands clean by washing their hands frequently and avoiding touching their faces, as hands are a common place of transmission due to exposure to many sources that can contain viruses.