Although most of us are anticipating (or even dreaming about) a return to normal after COVID-19 is finally gone, it’s very possible that we will all have to create a new kind of normal for ourselves and our families. As a vaccine will not be created or widely disseminated for some time, it’s important that, even after the worst of COVID-19 passes, that we still take certain health precautions. Those with compromised immune systems, those with family members with compromised immune systems, and those who just generally interact with the public should especially consider what kinds of future health precautions they may need to take.
To help you make a plan for the upcoming months and year, we’ve put together some suggestions about how you can develop a new sense of normal that takes into consideration important health precautions.
Wearing a Mask
Recently, the CDC made the recommendation that all people wear cloth masks or face coverings when in public or interacting with people, especially in instances where it is not possible to maintain a safe 6-foot distance from other people. This means that when picking up groceries or visiting the pharmacy, it’s best that you wear a mask, as per CDC guidelines. Wearing a mask over your face prevents you from spreading COVID-19, whether you currently have symptoms, are pre-symptomatic, or are an asymptomatic carrier, which means that you carry COVID-19 but never develop symptoms.
However, the CDC has not made any recommendations about how long the public should wear masks. As COVID-19 has proved to spread easily in communities, it’s likely that you should plan to wear a mask for the foreseeable future as a precaution. While it has not been proven that masks prevent you from being exposed to COVID-19, they do help put a stop to community spread, which in turn makes it less likely for you to be exposed to COVID-19.
For your future health and for the health of those around you, plan to wear some kind of disposable or cloth mask every time you are in a public space where you will interact with others, including stores and your workplace.
Developing and Continuing Good Hygiene Habits
By now, you’re probably tired of being told to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. However, practicing good hygiene for the foreseeable future is one of the most important precautions you can take to protect yourself against COVID-19. That means, even when COVID-19’s impact lessens, you should still keep in place the hygiene habits and routines you developed during the worst of the pandemic.
You should keep up with washing your hands after touching surfaces or being out in public, should wear gloves, when possible, and should avoid touching your face, eyes, and mouth. Covering your coughs and sneezes are always a good idea as well.
Additionally, you will want to continue to sanitize and keep your home clean, and the CDC recommends doing this daily. Pay special attention to surfaces you touch often, such as door handles, remote controls, light switches, sinks, counters, and cabinet pulls. The best health precaution any of us can take is practicing good hygiene.
Avoiding Crowds and Large Gatherings
Last, while self-quarantine can’t be sustained forever, in the future you are still going to want to be smart about limiting your exposure to large crowds as a health precaution. Eventually, we will all be going to movies, parties, concerts, and other social events again as well as visiting our favorite bars and restaurants. But experts have noted that until there is a vaccine, people should try to stay away from attending events where large amounts of people will be gathering.
One health precaution you can take in the future is making sure that you continue to practice social distancing when in public. Don’t sit right next to strangers at theatres, don’t eat at restaurants with large crowds, and maybe skip out on any large festivals this year or the next. Hopefully, this health precaution won’t have to be maintained for too long. However, limiting your chance of COVID-19 exposure not only is a health precaution that benefits you but benefits your commuiity as a whole.
