Filipinos today fear on the dangers brought by the new pandemic disease, COVID-19.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 or Coronavirus disease 2019 is a new strain of coronavirus that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans. Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Some of the common signs of infection include fever, and respiratory symptoms like cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In other cases, patients who contacted the virus may have pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. COVID-19 was discovered in Wuhan, China and now affecting different countries all over the world including the Philippines. It is not airborne, but it can be spread as droplets by sneezing and coughing, or aerosols through medical procedures like suctioning and nebulization.
Since the first case in the country, the number of cases has been increasing. As of 4:00 PM, 23 March 2020, there are 462 cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines; with 3 positive cases in Region 1. Still, we can still prevent the disease from spreading by staying at home to avoid contacting the virus. If you came from an area with confirmed positive cases, it is best to do a 14-day home quarantine to monitor and observe symptoms that may manifest. If symptoms arise, practice proper sneezing etiquette or by sneezing into your elbow or into a tissue or handkerchief. Staying at home can prevent us and our family from catching the virus. In any case that we need to go out to get our needs, social distancing is one way to prevent us from the disease. Allow at least 1-meter distance from other in queuing or going to markets.
In addition, frequent washing of hands is also one way to combat this disease. Keeping your hands clean by following proper handwashing will protect you from other diseases, too. Avoid touching your face, mouth, eyes, and nose as the virus may enter the respiratory system through these. If soap and water are not readily available, you may use a hand sanitizer or alcohol with at least 70% solution.
Another way of preventing the virus is by keeping our environment clean. While we are asked to stay at home, be sure to keep it clean. Unsanitary environment will attract viruses that cause diseases. Use disinfectant in cleaning our house.
Moreover, boosting our immune system through keeping our body healthy will also help us in the possible effect of the said virus. Be sure to follow the 10 Kumainments to keep us healthy while at home:
- Kumain ng iba’t ibang pagkain.
- Sa unang 6 months ni baby, breastfeeding lamang; mula 6 months, bigyan din siya ng ibang angkop na pagkain.
- Kumain ng gulay at prutas araw-araw.
- Kumain ng isda, karne, at ibang pagkaing may protina.
- Uminom ng gatas; kumain ng pagkaing mayaman sa Calcium.
- Tiyaking malinis at ligtas ang ating pagkain at tubig.
- Gumamit ng iodized salt.
- Hinay-hinay sa maaalat, mamantika at matatamis.
- Panatilihin ang tamang timbang.
- Maging aktibo. Iwasan ang alak; huwag manigarilyo.
Always remember that no single food provides all the nutrients our body needs and no single food can prevent this kind of disease. The 10 Kumainments will help us to strengthen our body’s immune system. Let’s do our part to protect ourselves and others. Staying healthy while at home will help us in battling this disease.
In case you may have had a direct contact with a COVID-19-positive patient and is experiencing the said symptoms while in quarantine, contact your local chief executive or the official DOH COVID-19 Hotline: 02-894-COVID (02-894-26843). (CPF/GLRB)
Sources: Department of Health and World Health Organization
