Today we are going to discuss the habits learned during the pandemic and what impact these habits will have on our future life.
Now that the risk of getting COVID-19 is winding down due to increased vaccinations and enhanced prevention, this is a good time to decide which health habits we learned during the last year should be continued. While everyone is eager to put the pandemic behind us and embrace pre-COVID-19 life again, there are ongoing advantages to keeping certain protections.
Social Distancing
Now that people are getting together with family and friends, no one wants to return to isolation. But while in public places where we don’t know who is carrying germs or not, it is not a bad idea to keep a six-foot distance from strangers. The plastic shields are still in place at some businesses while others have taken them down. Maintain a bubble of several feet around you to ward off exposure to germs from an array of viruses, including the flu.
Additionally, if you are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick, avoid attending gatherings. While it can be easy to excuse small illnesses, like colds, you don’t want to spread those to someone who could be at higher risk because of it. For example, while colds are a harmless annoyance for the majority of the population, they can be more dangerous for infants or those with asthma.
Hand Washing
Doctors have been recommending routine hand washing for years. During the pandemic, the recommendation surged to new heights as a measure of removing germs after being in contact with other people or public places. If you don’t want to use the antiseptic hand cleanser, basic soap and water will do. Just make sure to thoroughly wash your hands and preferably rinse them for about 20 seconds.
Medical Masks and Gloves
Are you so done with wearing medical face masks? Everyone is. Still, if you must visit a medical facility, nursing home, or other high-risk areas of possible viral transmission, it won’t hurt to wear a medical mask for extra protection even after being vaccinated.
A facial mask helps to protect your nose and respiratory areas from airborne germs and bacteria. It also protects those around you in case you have a cold or other illness, even if you haven’t noticed symptoms yet. During the most contagious times of year, which are usually fall and winter, consider wearing a mask in crowded or high-risk areas, like malls and airports.
Depending on your needs and habits when you go out, you may also want to keep things like gloves and face shields on hand as well. Of course, gloves don’t kill the virus any more than masks do, but if used properly, they can help keep you safe from germs you may come into contact with. When you wear gloves, avoid touching your mouth, ears, or face. If you do, you make yourself vulnerable to any germs that you may have touched with the gloves. Take off and throw away your gloves regularly.
You can get medical masks, gloves, and similar products in bulk from distribution centers like Old South Trading Co. By keeping a supply of these products at home, you can keep yourself prepared for sick days and other health risks.
Stay Home When Sick
This is another advisory issued by many employers during the flu season and beyond. If you are sick and you go to work or anywhere out in public while sneezing, coughing, or even talking to others without a mask, you increase the risk of spreading germs that can make other people sick, too. Some people may be more susceptible to serious illness than you are, so for their sake, stay home and take care of yourself to get well sooner.
These habits learned during the pandemic can continue to do you some good going forward. Weigh the benefits without any inconvenience. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University and now writes articles about health, business, family and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.
