The Covid-19 pandemic has brought new habits to societies around the world. The use of masks in environments such as public transport, common in places like China and Japan, has been adopted by several countries with the aim of containing the circulation of the coronavirus.
In addition to face protection, we reinforce hygiene measures such as hand washing, the use of alcohol gel and cleaning purchases and supermarket products. Respiratory etiquette includes a series of actions that reduce the risks of transmission of Covid-19 and other diseases such as flu and colds.
“Non-pharmacological measures were key during the pandemic until the vaccine came along. But they took on a connotation of restriction, at the same time that we experienced fear and anguish. It is understandable that we have all been anxious for the release of these restrictions”, says health researcher Chrystina Barros, member of the Committee to Combat Coronavirus at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).
The numbers of new cases and deaths from Covid-19 have been falling since the beginning of the year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) – despite an increase last week from the previous seven days.
With the improvement in indicators compared to last year, several countries have relaxed preventive measures against Covid-19, such as the exemption from the use of masks.
However, experts point out that, despite the positive indices, some habits acquired during the pandemic must be maintained, with the aim of reducing the incidence of respiratory diseases.
1. Wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms
The use of masks is no longer mandatory in all states and the Federal District. One of the main measures to face the pandemic, the face protection item is a physical barrier that reduces the chances of spreading the virus in an environment.
The infectious disease doctor Álvaro Furtado, from the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo (USP), believes that the use of a mask should be incorporated into the habit, especially in the face of the manifestation of respiratory symptoms.
“When we have any flu or respiratory symptoms, we should start wearing a mask until we make the diagnosis, to protect the other people around us”, says Furtado.
2. Hygienize hands and objects regularly
Regular handwashing with soap and water prevents a wide range of illnesses in addition to Covid-19, including colds, conjunctivitis, herpes, hepatitis A and other infections caused by viruses and bacteria.
The ideal minimum time for complete hand hygiene is at least 20 seconds. The step by step (look here) should include the palm and back of the hands and the spaces between the fingers, in addition to the nails and the wrist region.
“Hand hygiene should be a habit incorporated into our daily lives: before eating, when arriving from the street, when handling an unfamiliar surface, or even when there is some dirt on our hands. This must remain, including the use of gel alcohol”, says the infectologist.
Gel alcohol should be used as an additional resource, when it is not possible to wash your hands. When hands are visibly dirty, wash them with soap and water.
The habit of sanitizing personal objects, such as cell phones and children’s toys, should also be maintained.
“Hand hygiene was an intensified habit during the pandemic that reduced cases of conjunctivitis. Washing your hands is a habit that must always be maintained”, adds Chrystina.
3. Work from home
Just as masks became part of the context of public transport, experts recommend that working from home, known as home office, be adopted in the face of respiratory symptoms.
An ordinance from the ministries of Health and Labor and Welfare, published on March 1, made the use of masks in the workplace more flexible. The measure considered the indicators of the pandemic in the country and the release by states and municipalities of face protection in open and closed spaces.
“A person with coughing, sneezing and other symptoms that has not been tested should work at home, but primarily they should be tested, because there are many other respiratory viruses that have symptoms similar to the Covid-19 virus,” says Furtado.
4. Avoid physical contact and sharing of personal objects
One of the ways of transmission of respiratory viruses is through the contact of contaminated hands with eyes, mouth and nose. Doctor Diego Ramos, pulmonologist at Personalized Internal Medicine (MIP), says that, in addition to hand hygiene, you should not touch your face while on the street, in addition to avoiding hugs, kisses and handshakes.
The expert also recommends that people maintain a distance of at least one meter when coughing or sneezing. “It is important to cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or with your forearm when coughing or sneezing, to avoid the spread of viral particles in the environment, reducing the chances of contamination of other people”, he says.
“It is healthy for people to talk and maintain some interpersonal distance. This applies not only to physical issues, but even to psychic issues, it is a space that we need to feel comfortable talking to each other. At the same time, we understand that this translates a lot into our habit of hugging and kissing culture”, adds Chrystina.
The expert also says that sharing personal items should be avoided. “All of this is part of a set of health rules that help us avoid spreading and contracting diseases,” she says.
5. Avoid agglomerations
The advance of vaccination and the reduction in the number of cases and deaths caused by the coronavirus allowed the reopening of spaces such as theaters and cinemas and the resumption of major events, such as festivals and congresses. Although most activities require proof of vaccination, experts recommend caution, especially for those with respiratory signs.
The infectious disease specialist Álvaro Furtado says that the maintenance of respiratory etiquette measures contributes to the protection mainly of people who have a weakened immune system, such as immunosuppressed people, the elderly, people living with uncontrolled HIV, transplant patients and cancer patients.
Source: CNN Brasil
