COVID-19 has not only left the United States of America but the whole world in a state of shock. In that order, President Donald Trump, who was earlier hoping to reopen the country so that a semblance of normalcy can return to the American people on the Easter, April 12, 2020, has now decided to postpone it considering the steady increase of new cases of COVID-19 as well as the consistent spreading COVID-19. Talking of the measures that have been taken so far, all the majorly affected areas throughout the country are enforcing social distancing methods as well as cleaning surfaces and hands often.
What’s this chaos all about?
The COVID-19, also known as Novel Coronavirus, is a virus that can live on a hard surface for up to 3 days and porous surfaces, such as cardboard, for up to 12 hours. The virus can also be transmitted from breathing in the mucus or moisture coughed out or exhaled from an infected person as the infected particles can travel up to 6 feet.
Where did it all start?
The COVID-19 outbreak is believed to have started from a market for illegal wildlife in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.
How do you know if you have COVID-19?
According to the information and guidelines shared by the World Health Organization, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness and a dry cough. Some infected people may also have a runny nose, sore throat, nasal congestion, and aches and pains or diarrhea. A lot of patients have even reported losing their sense of taste and/or smell and as many as 80% of people who get COVID-19 experience a mild case – about as serious as a regular cold – and recover without needing any special treatment.
The elderly and people with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, or chronic respiratory conditions, are at a greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19.
As this condition is somewhat similar to viral pneumonia, antibiotics are useless. The antiviral drugs we have against the flu will not work, and there is currently no vaccine. Recovery, in this case, solely depends on the strength of the immune system.
What can you do to keep COVID-19 at bay?
Clean your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- A hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used if soap and water are not readily available. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Stay home as much as possible
- Put distance between yourself and other people.
- Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus.
- Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Stay home if you’re sick
Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.
Cover coughs and sneezes
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Wear a face-mask if you are sick
- If you are sick: You should wear a face-mask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a face-mask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a face-mask if they enter your room.
- If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a face-mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a face-mask). Face-masks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
Clean and disinfect
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
It is extremely important everyone does their part to help flatten the curve so that medical professionals can do their part to help speed up the recovery process from this pandemic. Research suggests that COVID-19 is a sickness that can easily be spread during cold climates, and that is why it is important to understand that COVID-19 will not be completely eradicated even when the summer sets in and temperature rises. Putting it the other way, COVID-19 will not be wiped out once the summer begins but instead, the high temperatures common in summer will slow down the spread of the virus. That means that the practice of social distancing will be effective to mitigate COVID-19 even in the summertime. It is unclear at this time how long this will progress as everyone continues to do their part with stopping and controlling COVID-19.
Taking social distancing to a more effective level, several countries across the globe are enforcing complete lockdowns to break this chain of the spread of COVID-19. Business owners are using this time to do the things that have been neglected all this while. You can do these too!
- Check out the competition
Go online and “creep” your competitors. What are they doing? You might want to gather some information about the new products and services are they offering and other things.
It is quite obvious that you don’t want to copy what they’re doing or saying – but this can time can be ideally used to find out how you can stand apart.
Research thoroughly about the competition in your area to see what others are offering in other countries and use that information to figure out what you can do differently or what can you add to your roster that shows you’re a leader in your industry.
- Review your websites and other marketing materials
Is it time for an update? It has been observed on several occasions that creating new or updated content for your business is pushed to the back burner as you bring on new customers or work to deepen relationships with existing clients.
You finally have all the time to read through your Website with fresh eyes – the eyes of your customer – and ensure that the message you’re sending is the one you want others to read.
- Update your social profiles
It is important to make sure your profiles share the outcomes that you deliver and don’t read like a job-seeking résumé. These have to be accurate for where you are today. Share your accomplishments. Share your story with the world.
- Update your presentations
If your role is that of speaker or trainer, now is the time to go through all your presentations and give them an in-depth refresh. Stats change. The way we do everything changes.
Give everything – your talks, your slide decks, and your signage – a quick check. Find those small tweaks that make a significant impact or are they tired-looking and benefit from a complete overhaul? Don’t forget, if you’re bored with your presentation, chances are your audience will be as well.
- Research new prospects
Use this time to research and find new customers. LinkedIn is considered to be an ideal platform to find contacts. If you want to share useful information/insights, then reach out. Create a list of potential contacts now to make your work so much easier when things begin to get back to normal, and be ready with a ready-to-go list of new connections.
- Create videos
Creating quality videos using your computer or smartphone is something we can all practice. It is no wonder a great way to train customers or staff, offer industry insights and helpful tips, showcase products, or introduce employees to “humanize” your company.
- Get in touch with your current and past customers
This is an excellent time to pick up the phone and re-connect to find out how others are dealing with this crisis (again, not to sell). These are extraordinary circumstances, and many people are not dealing well with the forced isolation they find themselves in. Your check-in call could be a lifesaver on many levels. Make use of this time wisely!
It is important we stick together in these difficult times. Stay home to stay safe!
