Let's NOT get sick

With a pretty yucky version of the flu going around, colds on every corner and our new worry over the Coronavirus it's time to get serious about how to NOT GET SICK.

The World Health Organization is stressing the following tips:

1. Wash your hands frequently

Wash your hands frequently. While hand sanitizer is a current fad, studies have shown your hands actually get  cleaner with soap and water. One tip to try to make sure you have washed your hands long enough is to hum the song Happy Birthday while you scrub all the nooks and crannies. 

Since some germs and viruses can stay alive on hand rails, shopping carts, gym equipment, door handles etc. etc. You want to wash your hands diligently before eating, after using the bathroom and really any time you have been touching public items. 

2. Practice respiratory hygiene

When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose  COMPLETELY with flexed elbow or tissue – discard tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands with hand sanitizer or soap and water.

Why? If you don't cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing  the germs will be projected in a 6-8 foot circle. And if you sneeze or cough into your hands, you may contaminate objects or people that you touch afterward. I can't believe how terrible people are at this- we can do better 

3. Maintain social distancing

Maintain at least 3 feet distance between yourself and other people, particularly those who are coughing, sneezing and have a fever.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth and eyes 

Why? Hands touch many surfaces which can be contaminated with the virus. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your contaminated hands before you have had time to wash them thoroughly, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself. 

4. If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early

Tell your health care provider if you have traveled in an area in China where 2019-nCoV has been reported, or if you have been in close contact with someone with who has traveled from China and has respiratory symptoms.

Why? Whenever you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing it’s important to seek medical attention promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Respiratory symptoms with fever can have a range of causes, and depending on your personal travel history and circumstances, 2019-nCoV could be one of them.

If you have mild respiratory symptoms and no travel history to or within China, carefully practice basic respiratory and hand hygiene and stay home until you are recovered, if possible.

5. As a general precaution, practice general hygiene measures when visiting live animal markets, wet markets or animal product markets as the coronavirus appears to be being spread from animals to humans

Ensure regular hand washing with soap and potable water after touching animals and animal products; avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with hands; and avoid contact with sick animals or spoiled animal products. Strictly avoid any contact with other animals in the market (e.g., stray cats and dogs, rodents, birds, bats). Avoid contact with potentially contaminated animal waste or fluids on the soil or structures of shops and market facilities.

6. Avoid consumption of raw or undercooked animal products

Handle raw meat, milk or animal organs with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.

So our special challenge this week is to try harder every day this week to follow the precautions that will help you and your family members to stay healthy. For every day you do this you earn the 5 bonus points,