TIPS

for preventing new coronavirus infection (SARS-CoV-2):

• • Avoid contact with people who have returned from contries with high prevalence of COVID-19 within 14 days;

• • Avoid any contact with people with a cold;

• • Do not travel internationally (there is a high possibility that people with SARS-CoV-2 may be infected in airport lounges or in the aircraft cabin);

• • Do not attend events with large crowds (movie theaters, discos, etc.);

• • Limit use of public transport if the distance is short – better to walk, long distance – better to use a taxi;

• • Regularly ventilate your home (dorm rooms);

• • Do not touch your mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes with dirty hands;

• • Wash your hands thoroughly after returning from the street.

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are types of viruses that typically affect the respiratory tracts of birds and mammals, including humans. Doctors associate them with the common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and they can also affect the gut.

Symptoms

Cold- or flu-like symptoms usually set in from 2–4 days after a coronavirus infection and are typically mild. However, symptoms vary from person-to-person.
Symptoms include:

• • sneezing

• • runny nose

• • fatigue

• • cough

• • fever in rare cases

• • sore throat

• • exacerbated asthma

Transmission

Limited research is available on how HCoV spreads from one person to the next.
However, researchers believe that the viruses transmit via fluids in the respiratory system, such as mucus.
Coronaviruses can spread in the following ways:

• • Coughing and sneezing without covering the mouth can disperse droplets into the air.

• • Touching or shaking hands with a person who has the virus can pass the virus between individuals.

• • Making contact with a surface or object that has the virus and then touching the nose, eyes, or mouth.

• • Some animal coronaviruses, such as feline coronavirus (FCoV), may spread through contact with feces. However, it is unclear whether this also applies to human coronaviruses.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggest that several groups of people have the highest risk of developing complications due to COVID-19. These groups include:

• • young children

• • people aged 65 years or older

• • women who are pregnant

Basic protective measures against the new coronavirus

Wash your hands frequently
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

Maintain social distancing
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
Practice respiratory hygiene
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
Food
As a general rule, the consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, raw milk or raw animal organs should be handled with care to avoid cross contamination with uncooked foods.
It is always important to follow good hygiene practices (i.e., wash hands and surfaces often, separate raw meat from other foods, cook to the right temperature, and refrigerate foods promptly) when handling or preparing foods.  
Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces
Clean and disinfect voting associated electronics (e.g., voting machines, laptops, tablets, keyboards)
Consider the use of alcohol-based wipes or spray containing at least 70% alcohol to clean voting machine buttons and touch screens. Use of alcohol-based products may reduce risk of damage to sensitive voting machine components.
When and how to use masks
If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.
Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.

How can I protect myself?
It is being claimed all kinds of things can protect you from the covid-19 virus, from vitamins to garlic. There is no evidence to support most of these claims. However, there is evidence that moderate exercise, adequate sleep and a healthy diet help keep your immune system in shape generally.
Take care of your immune system by getting proper nutrition, hydration, sleep and exercise.

If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

Call your tutor immediately if you have any of the symptoms, mentioned above!