TOKYO (PRWEB) April 30, 2020
Covid-19 once has caused significant upheaval around the globe. Hospitals are still overwhelmed with patients. Without a definitive timeline around the development of vaccines or medications, there is no clear schedule for reopening the economy. Sarsblog.com recently launched a new article that discusses about the current situation and the recommended preemptive measures.
The CDC drafted a 3-phase reopening roadmap. Each phase includes guidelines for organizations including, schools, camps, childcare centers, religious facilities and mass transit systems that emphasize strict control and social distancing measures. Although the guidelines can only serve as advice and it is up to the individual states to enforce them, it is likely that the states will adapt similar guidelines.
The take away from the guidelines is that social distancing measures will still be incorporated in our lives to ensure the health-safety of the population. However, people will need to eventually go back to work in order to put food on the table. But it will have to be done with a lot of caution and discipline.
Although there is some progress in flattening the infection curve, there are still worries about going backwards and, possibly, facing another wave of infection — especially if the timing coincides with the seasonal flu. These will severely affect each country’s options for reopening its economy. The only viable solution for getting rid of this virus is the developing of a vaccine
In order to mitigate the risks of getting infected, the authorities recommend:
1) Stay healthy and keep the immune system strong. Eating right, exercising daily and getting sufficient amount of sleep will help people have a strong immune system
2) Limit human contact as much as possible. Work remotely as much as possible, go out only when it is necessary, and maintaining 2 meters (about 6 feet) distance when out in public. Almost all countries have adopted social distancing rules.
3) Wash and sanitize hands properly, clean and disinfect surfaces, and ventilate homes and offices frequently.
4) Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) —such as masks, goggles, and gloves.
According to the CDC, transmission occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through fomites. This means that maintaining the 2-meter (about 6 feet) distance and wearing protective equipment— including masks, goggles, and gloves are going to be a priority when in public.
Finding PPE can be problematic and many countries faced critical shortages, including the USA. Protecting ourselves from scams and fraudsters taking advantage of the situation is another issue. One solution would be to track companies that have experience in dealing with disasters. For example, ANNI Medical which is the sister company of ANNI K.K, a company that works closely with UNICEF Japan. They had successfully delivered emergency supplies for UNICEF in the March 11, 2011 earthquake and the Fukushima disaster that followed. The company has announced that it can manufacture up to 50,000 masks per day.
While the COVID-19 outbreak is still declared a pandemic, opening the economy is an issue and the long-term consequences might outweigh the immediate benefits.