As the demographic of people reading this varies from state to state, and with that, the ordinances they must follow, there are still important precautions that every individual should be taking to preserve their health, that of their families and surrounding friends. As much as we'd like to turn back time and be able to socialize, not wear a mask or worry about contracting this virus, that mindset must change. In order to continue with our daily lives and cope positively with change, we must acclimate to a safer and more cautious way of living that doesn't have to be all bad.
1. Make your own sanitation methods.
The demand and accessibility to supplies differs across the nation, resulting in hand sanitizer, paper product, food and other shortages in areas and communities. As one of the most vital precautions throughout this pandemic concerns clean hands and sanitation, having a portable supply of hand sanitizer is important to your health and that of those around you. If you cannot find hand sanitizer at any local retailers, you can make it yourself. To make your own hand sanitizer, you will need rubbing alcohol, which you can purchase on Amazon for $11.60 and any aloe vera gel, which you can purchase on Amazon for $9.99. In spending $21.59 on Amazon, you are getting 32 oz of antiseptic and 8 oz of aloe vera, which should be combined equally, so if you want to make 2 oz of hand sanitizer, combine 1 oz of alcohol and 1 oz of aloe vera. You can create an affordable and portable sanitizer by getting or using products in bulk, ultimately saving you trips to the store and the money you would use to buy overpriced sanitizers. You can use the rest of your supplies to make more sanitizer or save it to clean surfaces, make your own sanitizer wipes and more.
2. Handle your mask appropriately.
If you don't already have a reusable face mask, I suggest you purchase one, as using a non-disposable mask saves resources and money. If you already have a reusable face mask, you should plan to wash it after a few wears or when you feel it could have gotten contaminated in a public setting. To wash your mask, you will need an antibacterial soap and hot water, that of which you can use to clean it by hand and let it dry. If you have to go to a public setting where you need to take off your mask to eat or for other reasons, you should place your mask on your lap or body with the side that makes contact with your face, facing upward. This will make sure that your mask has a decreased chance of picking up particles from surfaces or other agents that could potentially infect you later on. You should always keep your mask in a sanitized location like a dry plastic bag or clean compartment so that you can ensure its cleanliness before each use.
3. Keep your immunity strong.
If you don't think you are immunocompromised and have no underlying conditions that could worsen your symptoms if you contract the virus, you should still be taking precautions to keep your body healthy and strong. To keep your immune system strong enough to aid in fighting the virus if you contract it, you should be exercising consistently, getting your yearly vaccinations, not depriving yourself from rest, eating vegetables and healthy foods and taking supplements that can aid in strengthening your immune system. You can find supplements at your local Publix or CVS and should prioritize purchasing Airborne gummies or dissolvable tablets, immunity boosting daily shots, and foods that are high in Vitamin C and E. No matter what your biological state is, your age and your medical history, you should be working to keep your body safe and strong, especially if contracting the virus could happen without direct contact.
4. Always carry essential sanitation products.
If you must run errands or go into a public setting for any reason, you should be prepared with sanitation products that will lessen your possibility of contracting the virus. Essential sanitation products include and are not limited to, gloves or napkins to prevent direct contact with objects, alcohol soaked wipes or lysol wipes to clean surfaces you might touch and hand sanitizer to ensure that you are not transmitting germs from your hands to your face. You should always have at least one antiseptic product that will aid in cleaning your hands and the surfaces you interact with so that you can decrease your chances to contract and transmit the virus. It is important to refrain from touching your face if you go into a crowded or public setting until your hands are clean and free of any lurking germs.
5. Use digital platforms to stay connected.
Although it is difficult, as humans who are wired for social interaction, to be deprived from physical communication and connection, there are still ways to socialize by taking advantage of advancing digital platforms. If you want to hang out with your friends or miss your family, try creating a zoom meeting and interacting via video calls. If you want to stay in touch with friends that you can't interact with right now, use the social media at your disposal to reignite your relationship, even if it is a virtual one. There are various mediums that you can use to call, text, share and communicate with those around you and in order to be apart of the difference in making your community safer, you must continue to social distance and not put anyone's life in harm's way.
Instead of dreading and complaining about lifestyle changes that we cannot control, we must learn to adjust to new health guidelines and regulations for the safety of, not only ourselves, but those who make up our community. Remember that failing to follow health precautions doesn't solely impact you, but those with immunocompromised systems, underlying health conditions and those who the virus affects more drastically.
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