The spread of a disease like the Coronavirus Disease, or COVID-19, can ultimately affect many aspects of our society if we don’t take actions to slow its effects. The good news is that each of our Doctor of Physical Therapy students and Rehabilitation Science students can contribute to reducing the spread of this disease through the actions you take.
For example, all non-essential travel for faculty and staff is prohibited, and this action is equally important for students as one step to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus and your own exposure to it.
You may have also heard Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, in the news encouraging everyone to practice social distancing (at least six feet apart, staying away from crowded spaces, and stopping nonessential travel), practicing effective hand washing, and practicing other preventative behaviors. A major reason for these actions is that people have become carriers of the coronavirus without symptoms. As a result, others have become infected.
Travel and being with groups of people are two ways a disease can spread quickly through a community, and these are two things you can control. Remember you can personally contribute to the health of others by implementing several positive actions.
Remember, every person makes a difference, and small steps like social distancing and hand washing, can make a big difference. You may be saving someone’s life without even knowing it.
Here are a few ways to pitch in:
- Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
- When you go out in public, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
- Avoid crowds as much as possible; risk is increased in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation, particularly if there are people in the crowd who are sick.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even if they simply have a “cold” or “sniffles.”
- Avoid non-essential travel, especially travel by air.
- To the extent possible, avoid high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
- Stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.
- Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs; practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (e.g., tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks, and cell phones).
- Continue to wash your hands often, particularly after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or touching surfaces in public places. Uses soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
- When you go out in public, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
- Avoid crowds as much as possible; risk is increased in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation, particularly if there are people in the crowd who are sick.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even if they simply have a “cold” or “sniffles.”
- Avoid non-essential travel, especially travel by air.