Precautions against coronavirus

KARACHI: There is shortage of surgical masks all over Pakistan because of the widespread coronavirus that has now entered our country. It’s clearly one of the biggest issues of Pakistan after the first cases of the novel Corona Virus or COVD -19 was confirmed a day earlier. Raina Macintyre, an infectious disease researcher and professor of global biosecurity at the University of New South Wales in Sydney who studied the efficacy of face mask, explains that the surgical masks are just a physical barrier that will protect against “a visible splash or spray of fluid or large droplets”. However, the N95 are the type of mask which are “difficult to wear” but that kind of protection really works.

People don’t need to panic. Instead they need to learn about other precautionary measures. According to the WHO, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or wash and then with soap and water, maintain at least 1 meter distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing, people should stay at home and rest while symptoms are active, avoid spitting in public, avoid meeting people that have fever or cough, avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth and wearing disposable gloves to protect your hands.

All countries should unite to combat the virus.

Alyna Aslam

Published in The Express Tribune, February 29^th, 2020.

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