Advice from the BIS Hanoi nurse during he Coronavirus outbreak

Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). A lot of information has circulated since then, leaving people sometimes confused, overwhelmed, and panicked. But really, what should we do during an outbreak such as this?

Having worked in schools, hospitals, and other public health settings for the past 6 years, here are some general tips I can share.

STICK TO THE BASICS

You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again: wash your hands, and cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze. These are things emphatically repeated for one main reason: THEY ARE THE BEST WAYS TO PREVENT SPREADING AND CONTRACTING DISEASE. It is important though to make sure that we do these PROPERLY: using flexed elbows instead of the hands to cover the mouth, handwashing with soap and/or alcohol rub to effectively remove any harmful pathogens. The same goes for wearing masks in crowded areas, social distancing, and thoroughly cooking animal products before eating. Building up the immune system is also crucial, so make sure to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Visit this link to read more on effective ways to protect ourselves and others from getting sick: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT

Being informed is also a key component in battling this outbreak. Make sure that your information comes from reliable and credible sources. Not every article we see online provides factual data. The World Health Organisation’s website (who.int) is always a good source for wholesome information regarding the outbreak and other public health issues.

KEEP CALM

Keeping calm in the midst of any crisis is valuable. It is essential to be rational in order to effectively protect ourselves and others from getting ill. Stay home when you are feeling poorly, except when you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, in which case a visit to the doctor is needed. When in doubt, health care professionals are the right people to go to for clarification.

Health is one of the greatest possessions we can have, and therefore investing our efforts into it makes for a happy home and a happy community.

Jirah Gonnay

BIS Hanoi School Nurse