Coronavirus. Learn to avoid touching the face!
One of the main pieces of advice to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is not to touch the face with your hands. But how to control such unconscious act?
by Margarida Gamboa
The symptoms are:
. shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
. cough
. tiredness
. fever
The disease incubation period is estimated to be between 2 and 14 days (until the first symptoms appear). Each individual is responsible for slowing down this outbreak. How?
. Wash your hands;
. If you cannot wash your hands, use an alcohol-based solution instead;
. When you use tissue paper throw away after use;
. Cough or sneeze into your arm with your elbow flexed;
. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands.
How to avoid touching the face?
Not touching your face with your hands, particularly your eyes, nose and mouth, is one of the most important WHO recommendations.Why?
During the day we touch many surfaces, from door handles, elevator buttons, bathroom taps, subway supports, etc. The new coronavirus can remain in these places for a long time; if someone with “contaminated” hands touches these places and we touch them then it is present in our hands. By touching the nose, eyes and mouth with our hands we are putting the virus at the entrance to our airways.
But being such an automatic and unconscious gesture, how to avoid doing it?
. Have a packet of tissues - whenever you need to touch your face, do it with a handkerchief, either to touch your glasses or to scratch your nose.
. Awareness of your actions - try to think about what makes you touch in your face - you may have a habit of scratching your eyes because they are dry, or resting your chin on your hand, or pulling your hair out of your face… Identify the gestures that most commonly do to make it easier to create a way of not doing it.
For example, if you have dry eyes you can apply drops or if you move the hair close to your face a lot you can use it caught.
You can also put post-its in front of your computer or where you spend the most time to remember.
. Keep your hands busy - if you have a lot of time with your hands unoccupied or at rest try to find ways to keep them busy, such as an antistress ball (properly disinfected), a watch, a ring or an elastic band for your hair pulse. You can also put your hands in your pockets.
. Unusual smell - a great tip is to use a perfume lotion in your hands that you don't normally use; if it is slightly unpleasant it will be even better. This is because when you bring your hands to your face, the smell will make them move away automatically.
You can also use a sour nail polish. Widely used by those who have a habit of biting their nails (not advisable at this time), it is a great way to realize as soon as you bring your hands to your face.
And very important ... Don't forget to wash your hands whenever possible.
