Suppose You're Back to Work Despite the Rising COVID-19 Cases!

What are the things that you MUST DO to protect yourself?

For almost a month now, more and more people are going back to work, that is despite the fact that the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise. The news reports say that new cases are on the rise because of the reopening.

Are you back to work? 

Most likely, you're not if you're a youth (20 years old and below) or a senior because they are still ordered to stay home. Resumption of classes has been delayed and options for virtual learning are being adopted by many educational institutions, though public schools are not yet ready for that (as admitted by the DepEd Secretary).

You're not if you run your own business from home or if your employer has set up a work from the home arrangement for you. You're not if you're not really working like you're a stay at home mom. 

But in case you have to go out to work now for obvious economic reasons, you need to proactively reduce your risks to COVID-19. This post may seem redundant as I have already posted here about COVID prevention tips, but our situation now is the new normal of living, at least, for the next few months. So, what should you do?

Here are 7 Safety Tips that you must consider.

1. Don't Use Public Transport, If You Can

If you own a vehicle, use it. If not, buy/borrow a motorcycle or a bicycle and use that. If your place of work is not too far, then walk. 

Another option would be to carpool with a few people you know. Mathematically speaking, carpooling is safer than riding public transport that has more people in it.

2. Practice Good Hygiene

In General

• Use a mask when you go out of your house.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. This is more effective than just using hand sanitizer. 
• Avoid touching your face. If you really need to touch your face, first wash your hands with soap and water or use disinfectant alcohol or sanitizer. This is NOT paranoia. It’s a necessary measure.

At work

• Use a disinfectant spray (Dettol or Lysol) and wipe your work area at the beginning of every workday. 
• Avoid touching other surfaces if you don't need to.

When you come home after work

• Don't wear your shoes inside your home. 
• Take a shower and put on new clothes before you sit anywhere in the house. All clothes that you wore outside must go straight into the washing machine and wash them.
• You may wipe your handbag/briefcase with a cloth and disinfectant spray.

 

3. Practice social distancing

Don't hang out in groups with your co-employees. It's not being anti-social. You just want to be careful. Minimizing contact with other people is the best way to avoid the spread of the contagious virus. 

If you can bring meals that are cooked from home, that is better. You can just eat at your own desk.

4. Boost your immune system

Your health is very important, so take steps to improve it. Aside from eating healthy, boost your immune system with the following recommended supplements:

Vitamin C

This vitamin helps you fight colds and prevent the flu. The body cannot store vitamin C, so you need a daily dose of it. 

Zinc

This mineral can boost the immune system by decreasing inflammation, accelerating healing and reducing age-related illnesses. The body cannot produce zinc, so, you also need to proactively consume it.

Probiotics

Probiotics keep your gut healthy. Products like yogurt, tempeh, miso, kimchi and kombucha help produce antibodies the body uses to fight most respiratory illnesses. 

Garlic oil supplements

Garlic is a well-known immunity booster because of the allicin it contains. It works wonderfully against diseases and improves general health. Consuming one or two capsules of garlic oil daily is better than eating a lot of garlic to get the same amount of allicin as a capsule.

5. Exercise daily

If you're walking to work everyday, you already have enough exercise everyday. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that can make you feel better.

Movement is also necessary to give you a mental break. Try activities like kickboxing, or bodyweight training to involve both mind and body.

Exercising not only helps improve health, but it also helps to shed excess pounds. If combined with healthy eating, you can maintain or attain your ideal weight. 

6. Break your addictions, if you have any

If you smoke, drink alcohol or love high sugar foods, try to avoid these. If you do, you will not only feel healthier, you will also save money. 

7. Pray

I'm not sure if you believe in God or not. But I believe in God and in the awesome power of prayer. Frankly, the present situation is difficult and beyond our control because we don't see with our naked eyes the virus that we are fighting. 

But through prayer and faith in God, I feel less anxious about the situation. Whatever happens, I know the Sovereign God is in control. 

Finally, no matter what type of situation you are in right now, just do your best to follow the above best practices to minimize your risks. Don't be succumbed by fear. Pray and faith. 

How are you coping with the pandemic? Are you back to work? Share your thoughts in the comments below.