Post lockdown tips for officegoers on how not to get the COVID-19 virus home

We are in the middle of the COVID-19 lockdown. But most countries are recognizing that strict lockdown may not be the solution to the deadly contagion. It only succeeds in containing the spread of the disease to a certain extent and delays the spike in cases. Therefore, many regions across the world and also closer home in India, there have been some relaxations. But these easing of lockdown rules do not mean that the threat of the virus is now behind us. Rather, we need to be even more vigilant than ever before. This is because now there is a very real chance that cases may spike. Also Read - Recognise the different kinds of rashes that may indicate COVID-19 infection

Even the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the exit measures should be done extremely carefully. He recently said in a press conference that ‘the risk of returning to lockdown remains very real if countries do not manage the transition extremely carefully and in a phased approach’. He emphasized the six criteria that countries must consider. This includes strong surveillance, isolation of positive cases, intensive testing and treating every case and tracing every contact. WHO further reiterates on the importance of proper preventive measures in workplaces and full cooperation of the public in the post-lockdown ‘new norm’.

Safety measure in post-lockdown scenario

India has also eased lockdown rules and many offices are now opening with 33 per cent employees. This raises questions of safety measures. Most offices have taken precautionary measures like deep cleaning and sanitising their premises. But this may not be enough. If you are planning to go to office in this post-lockdown scenario, you need to keep certain things in mind.

So, it is heartening to see the steps taken by some companies to ensure that their employees do not carry the virus home with them. In a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19 at the workplace, Indian FMCG major ITC has shared some key tips for working professionals to avoid the spread of the deadly virus at office as well as home. Let us see what they are.

Key tips for working professionals
Wear a mask at all times and practice social distancing diligently.
You must sanitize your hand immediately after touching any surface.
 
Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
When you reach the office, take the stairs instead of the elevator. If you do take the elevator, maintain distance, use elbows/arms to open doors and ensure that office space, desktop surfaces, etc., are sanitized.

When you’re in the office, try to conduct virtual meetings. In situations where this is not possible, attend conference room meetings with minimum people and follow strict distancing.
In the office, sanitize or wash your hands with soap and water after using any equipment like photocopier, refrigerator, shredder, water dispenser, etc.
Bring your own lunch from home and eat strictly in your space.
Avoid entering and exiting the office multiple times. Enter and exit once.

When you return home, keep mask on and ask family members to keep the door open.
Leave your shoes outside your home and bags at the entrance.
Wash your hands with soap and water and disinfect your bag and shoes.

Wash your clothes and the mask that you wore. Take a refreshing shower.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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Cocktail of germs on mobiles, likely coronavirus too

A new study has warned that mobile phones could be acting as “Trojan horses” for coronavirus. It found that phones host a cocktail of live germs.

The research was a review of 56 previous studies from 24 countries. While all those studies predate the current pandemic, the authors said SARS-CoV2 is probably present on mobiles and other touch-screen devices of coronavirus sufferers.

The review, scheduled for publication in Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, found that 68% of the phones sampled in these studies were contaminated. Golden staph and E. coli microbes were among the most common bugs on phones.

Our recommendation is that phones should be decontaminated daily and regularly with either 70% isopropyl or by sanitising with (ultraviolet) devices like PhoneSoap,” said the study, led by biomedical scientist Lotti Tajouri of Bond University, Australia.

In a statement, Dr Tajouri described mobile devices as “five-star hotels with premium heated spas, free buffet for microbes to thrive on”. “They have temperature control, we keep them in our pockets, we are addicted to them. We talk into them and deposit droplets that can be full of viruses, bacteria – you name it. We eat with them, so we give nutrients to micro-organisms..”

He said people travelled with their phones “and no border officers check them”. “That’s why mobile phones are Trojan horses. We don’t know that we are carrying the enemy.”

Dr Tajouri said even the average phone user handled their mobiles an average of three hours a day. “You can wash your hands as many times as you like – and you should – but if you then touch a contaminated phone you are contaminating yourself all over again. Think of your phone as your third hand.”

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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Guide to social distancing: The Dos and Don’ts of a lockdown

Are you practicing social distancing?

Social distancing is the need of the hour.

With coronavirus infection cases in India crossing 500, authorities are imposing stringent curbs and lockdowns. It has become now more important than ever to take these precautions seriously and follow strict social distancing.

Social distancing means isolating yourself from the crowd to lessen the infection spread. Since coronavirus spreads through respiratory droplets, this can help avoid unnecessary transmission, and in turn, help cut down the number of cases.

To be more precise, distancing yourself also requires one to avoid public gatherings, parties, places frequented by the public (more than 10 people) and maintaining almost a distance of six feet, wherever you can.

How to stay safe from coronavirus

While social distancing would require you to stay put at your home, you cannot fully avoid running errands or picking up groceries for your survival at home. That ultimately means, you are going to be in touch with public utilities and go to places where there might be other people coming too and chances of touching something germy or infectious naturally goes up.

When the home is the safest place you can be, what can you do to avoid bringing germs and viruses in? If you are just as confused, here is an explainer on how to practice social distancing in the right manner:
Question yourself: Is that trip ABSOLUTELY neccessary?

Authorities suggest people postpone important work and step out only if it is neccessary. Yes, sitting at home can get a little boring but this is not the safest time for you to step out of home for leisure. Neither does it mean you go to another friend's home because it will be "safe".

Before stepping out, ask yourself if you could delay or manage it any other way, or at a later date. It is not the best time for outings and staying at home is your best form of protection.

For groceries, ensure that you go out to pick the essentials which are enough to fulfill your basic needs. Try and maintain distance from other shoppers, or go visit a store during the non-peak hours.

If you absolutely must step out for a walk, practice safety precautions and maintain considerable distance. At-home workouts are another option you can give a try.

Take safety in your own hands.

Wherever, whenever you go back, do remember that your safety rests in your own hands. If you do not practice good hygiene or care, chances run high that not only will you catch the infection, but also infect all other people you interact with.

Ensure that you keep a sanitizer or disinfecting wipes on you at all times. If you are coughing or sneezing, it's best to stay in. If you must go out, wear a mask. Avoid touching surfaces like doorknobs, handles or the floor when you go to the market. Stand in a queue and maintain a good distance to avoid picking up germs along the way.

The most vital thing to remember is to NOT break the quarantine time. 14 days self-quarantine is a must now. One day you break it, you invite germs and reset the quarantine counter. It is for your own good to stay in.

Sanitizing and disinfecting once you come back is a MUST
From your shoes to the phone or the bag you carry, germs can reside anywhere and find their way in. Hence, disinfection and sanitizing are important when you come back home. Remove your shoes, clean your spectacles or bag. You can also take a shower if you want.

Washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds is a must-do job, without fail. Avoid sharing towels. Clean and disinfect your phone or any such thing you could have taken outside and brought in.

If you are having food from outside, or takeaway, ensure that you transfer the food onto other clean, safe utensils and then eat. As a safety measure, clean your hands after touching any packaged commodity too.

If you have a pet at home and need to take him or her for a walk, make sure you clean and disinfect his paws too. Allow ventilation and fresh air to come in the rooms. Change bed sheets and clean common utility items frequently.

If you are living with someone who is at risk, allocate a separate room for them. DO NOT share utilities at any cost. While you can't disinfect everything, you can always minimize the risk factors.

Try not to PANIC

Yes, it can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing to stay at home and listen to all the updates, fearing for your health. Not being able to step outside, as you normally do, during these curfew hours can also make you restless.

Remember, you aren't alone. There is an entire population experiencing the same set of feelings as you. Take a breath and do not give in to panic. This is also a good time to practice meditation and positive affirmations which can calm you and centre your mind.

As long as you are aware, follow set guidelines and take care of your health, you are doing good. No need to worry.

Avoid visiting elderlies

The lockdown is most likely the time many of us would worry about the elderlies and those with compromised health living apart from us. While it seems thoughtful to go visit them, it will be best if you limit your interactions with them during this vulnerable time. Even if they are staying in a safe environment, you can transmit sickness onto them.

As a measure, avoid visiting people until it is necessary, or they are in dire need of food, supply, medicines or help. The same rule applies for kids play dates and other friends and relatives too.

Do stay in touch with your circle during this isolated time, but do not take extreme steps.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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Cleanliness Is So Important Right Now—Here's How to Wash Fruits and Vegetables Properly

As the world battles the COVID-19 global pandemic, practicing proper food safety and handling protocol is vital. Though the FDA says that there is no evidence of food or its packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19, approximately 48 million (one in six) people are sickened by contaminated food each year. Although it's common knowledge that one must thoroughly wash hands and surfaces after handling poultry or meat, most don’t realize that washing produce is equally important to avoid cross-contamination and food-borne illnesses.

Learn how to keep your family safe with these simple steps to ensure your fruits and vegetables are as clean as possible before you consume them during this time of extra caution and cleanliness.

1. Practice the Four Key Steps of Food Safety: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.
You should always practice these four easy food safety steps to ensure your food is as safe for consumption as possible.

    When preparing food, it is extremely important to always wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap before AND after handling fresh produce.
    Make sure to sanitize your workstation, knives, tools, and cutting board before you begin cooking. Additionally, separate produce, poultry, meat, seafood, and eggs while you cook to avoid cross-contamination.
    In order to kill viruses and bacteria, cook food to the appropriate internal temperature and make sure to keep food out of the temperature danger zone (40° - 140°F) for long periods of time.
    Refrigerate and freeze food properly within two hours to prevent potentially harmful pathogen growth. 

2. Inspect Your Produce for Damage.
Inspect your fruits and veggies at the store and purchase items that are not visibly bruised or damaged. If you notice physical dents and dings once home, simply cut away any bruised or torn areas. Additionally, it is important to remove and discard the outermost leaves of a head of lettuce or cabbage to reduce contamination risk. Lastly, make sure to throw away and never consume any produce that looks rotten.

3. Rinse Produce Before You Start Chopping.

Make sure to wash your produce thoroughly under cool running water BEFORE eating or preparing. It is important to rinse before (even if you don’t plan on eating the skin) to avoid transferring dirt or bacteria onto your knife, the flesh of the produce or your work surface. The FDA does not recommend washing your fruits and vegetables with soap, detergent nor commercial produce wash, as it may leave additional residue. However, you may want to use a clean produce brush to scrub firm crops like melons and cucumbers.


4. Follow Marion Nestle's Expert Advice.

Marion Nestle, PhD, MPH, a professor of nutrition, food studies, and public health, emerita, at New York University and author of Food Politics, suggests that to be “100 percent safe while eating fresh produce” during the COVID-19 epidemic, “follow the P rules and only eat foods that are: piping hot, peeled, purified, and packaged.”

This means that you should consume food that is heated at sufficiently hot temperatures to help destroy microorganisms and other viruses, opt for peelable fruits and vegetables (as long as you wash your hands before and after), ensure that your cooked food is not recontaminated and remains purified before consumption, and purchase packaged foods (packed, frozen, or dried) whenever possible to avoid contamination.

“If you have fresh produce, wash it," Nestle warns. "When in doubt, cook it to be on the safe side.” She believes that “washing well in water” is key but urges to err on the side of extreme caution.

5. Dry Your Produce With Clean Towels.

After washing, avoid recontaminating your food and dry with a clean cloth towel or disposable paper towel to further reduce the risk of bacterial or viral transmission from a dirty surface onto your ready-to-eat fruit or veggie. 

6 .Store Your Clean Produce in a Safe Place.

Now that you’ve successfully cleaned your produce, make sure to store or refrigerate pre-cut items at 40°F or below if you’re not going to eat them right away, and same goes for fruits and veggies that require refrigeration (find them here). Lastly, make sure your clean produce is not at risk for recontamination and wash again if you suspect it has been re-exposed to harmful pathogens before eating.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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Restaurants providing contactless delivery: But is your food safe?

Contactless delivery, a new safety initiative?

We are witnessing the disruption of the world economy as the Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 continues to spread across countries at a rapid rate. As a measure of prevention, many people have self quarantined themselves by staying at home to stop the transmission of the virus. And Restaurant businesses around the world take a hit as self-isolation becomes important, dine-in and takeaway at restaurants is not an option. However, ordering for food online is becoming a preferred means of indulging in restaurant food. The popular food aggregator apps such as Zomato and Swiggy are promising 'contactless delivery' to their customers and big fast food brands such as Dominos India and McDonald's are revamping their processes to focus on hygiene.

What is contactless delivery?

In a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19, self-isolation is being taken very seriously. This means not getting out to the shops for food and supplies. But takeaways are now offering a contactless delivery to protect both the customer and the driver. Customers can now ask the delivery guys to leave food at a safe place such as a doorstep. This step has been taken to minimise the contact between the two parties.

Regarding this preventive measure, a KFC India spokesperson said, “To ensure health & safety of our consumers as well as team members in the current situation, we have rapidly put in place stringent operational protocols. These include sanitizing of all restaurant areas at regular intervals through the day and frequent sanitizing of tables, counters, doors and door handles every 30 minutes. Our delivery teams wash and sanitize their hands, alongside sanitizing delivery bags, after delivering each order. We are also launching ‘Zero Contact Delivery’ service, which will ensure that our trained delivery member will deliver food at the consumer's doorstep, without any contact with the consumer for prepaid orders. The riders will follow a strict protocol of wearing masks and hand gloves at all times during the delivery process”.

Can COVID-19 spread through food?

As the virus spreads through sneezes, exhales and coughs in a form of droplet transmission, it is unlikely that the virus will spread through food unless someone infected with the virus contaminated your food. To avoid a situation like this, our favourite fast-food giants like Taco Bell India and others are adapting to the practice of social distancing and adhering to the cleanliness and hygienic standards.

“The health and safety of our employees and consumers is of utmost priority. Hence, we have taken additional measures, above and beyond our existing hygiene best practices like increasing the frequency of hand washing and sanitizing. Our kitchen staff use gloves at all times, and food preparation stations are cleaned and disinfected every hour. We are committed to continue delivering on our promise of ‘Trust in Every Bite’ to our consumers, whether they dine at their nearest Taco Bell restaurant, or choose to take-away or order-in, as per their convenience,” said a Taco Bell India spokesperson.

Your food is safe!While the matter is quite fragile, if taken proper measures, we can beat the risk of being infected by the virus. Several restaurants and food outlets are trying their best to maintain hygiene for the staff as well as the customers. Initiating 'contactless delivery' is just the first step to make it a safe exchange between the driver and the customer. Self-quarantining never said you couldn't eat your favourite food! We hope that other restaurants also take the matter as a priority and practice proper hygiene.

Heat your food
However to ensure double safety, heat or microwave your food at high temperature before you consume it.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement