How to Protect Your Health as Lockdown Ends

The lockdown, which commenced from March 23, to curb the spread of coronavirus has been quite successful in our country. T The eight-week lockdown shifted the peak of this disease by around up to 76 days, according to a study headed by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The study also found that the number of cases in India was curtailed by 69% to 97% by the lockdown. 

While infection could not spread during the lockdown, the economy needs to reopen, and we all need to get back to normal life… well, the new normal. With the gradual easing of restrictions and offices reopening, the threat of the virus is now more than ever before. So, here are a few measures to adopt to protect your health.

Continue Wearing Face Masks

Several studies show that face masks are effective in protecting you from the coronavirus. As public places and offices open, you need this protection. With more people coming out of their homes, maintaining social distancing can be a difficult task. In such situations, a mask can prevent you from being infected.

Government and health insurance guidelines suggest that disposable surgical masks work well for protection against COVID-19. You can also make cloth masks at home, while ensuring that no space is left between cheeks, nose, and jaws, from where droplets can exit or enter.

Get Health Insurance

You may take all the precautions and still end up being infected. With hospital facilities under immense pressure due to the spike in cases, treatment can prove to be very expensive. The last thing you want when you are unwell is to worry about medical bills. So, it’s recommended to get health insurance while you can.

But the question is, which health insurance is best in India? It’s a good idea to check online before you buy any health insurance. Check out what pre- and post-hospitalization benefits the policy offers. Also, there are tools to determine how much cover you need.

Avoid Traveling

You’ve been through a tough phase and really need a vacation, or maybe you’re homesick and wish to meet your folks. Maybe your work requires you to visit clients. The smart thing to do is to curtail all unnecessary travel. If travelling is unavoidable, ensure that you strictly follow the guidelines issued by the WHO and other global health organizations.

Also, stay abreast of the news. When you travel to another destination, you run the risk of being stranded there in case a lockdown is announced again.

Keep Your Hands Clean

Lack of hygiene is the most common cause of disease. With lockdown restrictions easing, you will be touching more surfaces, like lift buttons, tabletops, doorknobs, keyboards, etc. So, remember to avoid touching your eyes, ears, nose or mouth with dirty hands. Keep an alcohol-based sanitizer in your pocket or bag and use it often. Wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds before you eat.

Apart from getting health insurance and maintaining proper hygiene, plan your day so that you avoid the crowds and try to stay away from congested places like supermarkets.