COVID-19 Outbreak: Experts Suggest Five Ways To Minimise Transmission Indoors
While the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, the country has been easing restrictions gradually and indoor public places like banks, offices, restaurants, gyms, supermarkets, malls and other such places are opening up in increasing numbers. Even though, those who are operating the indoor public spaces need to take proper measures to ensure the safety of the visitors, the people also need to remain cautious and follow precautions. Dr. Harshad Limaye, Senior Consultant- Internal Medicine at Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai and Dr. Supriya Bali, Director, Internal Medicine, Max Multi Speciality Centre, Panchsheel Park, Delhi suggest five ways in which people can minimise the potential exposure to coronavirus in indoor settings.
Avoid Crowded Indoor Public Spaces
According to Dr. Bali, it is advisable to avoid visiting crowded places as much as possible. She said that in closed settings, the larger number of people would mean more interaction with others and higher chances of COVID-19 transmission. This is because it can cause transmission of the virus through the airborne route as well as physical contact, she said.
Leave Immediately If Indoor Air Quality Is Poor
Experts say that good ventilation is extremely important to avoid infections. They suggest moving out of a room as soon as possible if the air inside it feels stale. Dr. Limay emphasises on improving the indoor air quality by keeping windows open and ensuring enough circulation of fresh air.
Maintain Physical Distance And Leave Soon
Dr. Bali recommends maintaining a space of at least six feet from other people when in public-outdoors or indoors. She further said that indoor spaces are riskier than outdoor spaces because it might be harder to keep people apart due to the limited space. Therefore, she suggests reducing the time spent indoors.
Wear Masks And Keep Hands Clean
Both experts strongly recommend wearing masks consistently and correctly and maintaining good hand hygiene. They say that wearing a mask properly by covering the nose and mouth area and washing hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, will provide a strong defence against COVID-19.
Nearly 20 lakh children live on the streets of India, without an identity, a name to call their own, a place to call home, sleeping on empty stomachs for days and nights. These twenty lakh are children, who have dreams, who have rights, who are our tomorrow. They are living in the shadows today.
During these unprecedented times, not everyone can afford the privilege of social distancing. And not everybody can stay home during the lockdown, simply because they don’t have a home. Those living in poverty are extremely vulnerable, struck with a sudden lack of funds, food, mobility and a struggle for survival. And, as with all humanitarian crises, it is the children who have been affected the most.
It is always the children on the street who are subjected to some of the harshest realities of life. Today they are battling a catastrophic crisis, and it’s time we step in to protect them.
As a part of our COVID-19 response, Save the Children is working across various regions and has already directly reached over 18,000 children and adults to cover their basic needs. The organisation is ensuring their daily needs and their dignity and hygiene are also being cared for. Save the Children has identified 2.5 lakh children in cohorts, across 10 cities in India. Reaching out to these children with emergency relief is a top priority. But this cannot be done alone.
Save the Children and NDTV join hands to bring focus to the lives of children living in street situations. As India fights the Coronavirus, we must not forget one of the most marginalised and excluded groups whose lives have been long ignored – street-connected children. The 21-day campaign will generate public interest and raise funds to ensure these 20 Lakh+ children who live, earn, sleep and eat on our streets are cared for and protected. Amidst the crisis the world is facing, they are most vulnerable, exposed to infection and disease.