COVID-19 is a virus that is responsible for the deaths of millions of people around the world. This February 2022, there is a total of 5,719,442 deaths that happened globally. Once it infects a person, the virus could display mild, moderate, or severe symptoms in the body. Common manifestations are sore throat, high fever, cough, runny nose, body aches, and loss of taste or smell. Even if workers are urged and required to do home-based labor, it does not necessarily protect them from contaminating the disease. Here are some of the things you can do to stay safe while working from home during the pandemic.
Tip #1: Get the vaccine
This is probably the most important tip that needs to be fulfilled as individuals working from home. Getting vaccinated is one of the most essential steps in preventing COVID-19. It increases a person’s immunity from the virus and impedes serious symptoms from occurring.
Contact your HR Department if you are employed as the government tends to partner with the private sector in providing the vaccine or contact your local government unit (LGU) if there are any vaccination schedules available. Also, individuals must make sure to check if there are walk-ins available in their area. It is essential to visit the DOH Facebook page, DOH website, WHO website, PIA website for updates. In addition, once vaccinated, expect possible side effects such as fever, headache, dizziness, and fatigue. Itchiness, redness, and swelling might happen at the injection site. Take note that this is normal and this is an indication that the vaccine is already in effect. As the vaccines trigger your immune response to recognize and fight disease-causing organisms. Make sure to rest at home afterward and take paracetamol if needed.
Tip #2: Wear a face mask and disinfect your hands regularly.
People who work from home inevitably go out to do essential errands. Whether it is grocery shopping, going to the bank, or attending medical appointments, it is necessary to wear a mask and keep your hands clean.
Wearing face masks and disinfecting hands frequently is essential for COVID-19 prevention. Handwash or hand sanitizing removes germs and prevents the virus from spreading to others. Also, wearing medical-grade masks protects individuals from viruses that are expelled airborne. It is a way for the pathogen not to spread to others. Examples of face masks that will help people protect themselves from the pathogen are N95 and surgical masks.
While outside, it is important to disinfect the hands with alcohol every time you touch public surfaces such as door handles, ATMs, etc. If there is a chance to wash hands, too, they must do it as often as they can. In addition, as much as possible, people must wear their face masks at all times and they must use it properly. The blue side of the mask is worn outwards and the nose-bridge must fit snugly around the nose.
Tip #3: Refrain from social gatherings
This is easier said than done. Yet, this task is one of the most difficult COVID-19 prevention measures to follow. Humans are social beings. Working from home is already challenging enough for employees since it limits their connection to others. As much as it is easy to send a text or a virtual message to friends, relatives, and co-workers, nothing beats meeting up face-to-face.
The reason why refraining from social gatherings is essential is because it prevents and limits the spread of the virus. Not everyone can track the history of COVID-19 exposure of the people they meet.
To follow this tip, individuals must learn how to say no to invitations regarding gatherings outside their household. As much as possible, they should avoid birthday parties, drinking out, and hanging out at the mall with their friends or relatives. Also, they must refrain from meeting up with people whose family members got exposed to the COVID-19.
Filipinos must exhaust all of their efforts to avoid and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Even if doing home-based work protects them from further infection of the virus, it does not guarantee safety from the dangers of the outside world. If Filipinos, as a nation, do their part as individuals to follow all the rules to put a stop to the pathogen, then we can beat the pandemic together.
