The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends basic hygiene practices, such as frequent hand washing, drinking plenty of fluids, covering the nose and mouth with a handkerchief or elbows when coughing, and staying at home if you feel sick.
This is really an interesting question. Have you heard about social distancing? Have you heard about the deveolpment of vaccines?
There are other important measures to be taken to prevent the spread of Covid 19 because the general hygiene measures are conventional an applicable in all situations of the outbreak of respiratory illnesses or diseases. The mask as such recommended to suspected , confirmed patients will be different from health care personnel who is exposed to higher rate and dose of viruses or pathogens, in addition to common man without symptoms of other illnesses or exposed to chances of virus are minimum. The question of face mask as single use or reuse of masks for few times after washing , sun drying will arise depending on the situations. presently most of the countries are resource limited in terms of availability of masks or other protective equipment.
Secondly , practice of use of mask is new for non medical public and not comfortable to wear it for longer duration and habit of coughing or sneezing by lowering the face mask is most dangerous habit for spread of microbes of high virulence or pathogenicity. Hence the use of mask is a solution but not effective unless specified and educated about who should use which mask and duration of use especially high risk co morbid patients.
social distance is good implementation is not cent percent use to culture differences in the many countries. similar approach should be made in social distancing compulsory when interacted with high risk , co morbid patients or other group.
Viral shedding takes place from day 0 of infection till day 28th of convalescence...
These 28 days are supposed to be infection transmission days from any COVID-19 test positive patient.....
This 28 days duration comprises 5 clinical stages:
1. Asymptomatic
2. Pre-symptomatic
3. Symptomatic
4. Declining
5. Convalescence
So identification, isolation, contacts tracing, testing, treatment+isolation with all standard precautions are needed......
Today the greatest threat on the planet Earth is the invasion by the tiny particle causing Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19). Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus usually experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special and very advanced treatment. Older people and those having medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. One of the best practices to stay safe from infection is by washing hands or using an alcohol based rub (sanitizer) frequently without touching the face.
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it is important to practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).