How We Can Rise to the Coronavirus Challenge

"(Bloomberg Businessweek) -- An unfamiliar, invisible threat like the novel coronavirus can make people feel helpless and turn inward just when they most need to reach outward, both helping and leaning on others. Here are concrete ways you can help your family, co-workers, and neighbors..● Be a role model.Good personal health habits help prevent respiratory infections: Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or an elbow sleeve; wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; and avoid touching one’s eyes, nose, and mouth. But don’t just do it—be conspicuous about it. Talk about it. Make it a community norm..● Promote a workplace culture that supports people staying home when sick.People should stay home when they have a respiratory illness. But many still feel pressured to work. They need hourly wages, are essential personnel, or face looming production goals. If you’re a manager or business owner, implement realistic sick leave policies, be flexible with workplace arrangements—such as allowing people to work from home—and act on public-health recommendations. For everyone else, don’t make your co-workers feel guilty about not coming in..● Steward resources wisely.Novel disease outbreaks can make extra demands on everyday goods and services, such as surgical masks and hand sanitizer. Because community well-being comes from collaboration and not competition, weigh your own needs alongside those of others. Refrain from hoarding items that are in short supply..● Look out for the most vulnerable.Be sensible about not exposing frail seniors or people with other health conditions to respiratory illness. Neighbors and family should pitch in with groceries, supplies, and moral support when such people must avoid public spaces. Share phone numbers, email, and messaging contacts so it’s easier to reach out. People who live in racially and ethnically diverse communities should double their efforts at sharing information and offering mutual aid. If the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak is a guide, minority groups may face higher rates of complications, hospitalizations, and deaths..● Help with child care and meals.Efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19 have sometimes included school closures. This can place huge burdens on working families and keep needy students from regular nutritious meals. In addition, employees at health-care facilities may experience increased work demands, inhibiting them from tending to and feeding their families. Step in where you can to provide alternative child-care and meal options for neighbors and family..● Remember that viruses don’t discriminate.When an outbreak emerges, some people blame perceived outsiders or avoid people from groups they assume are contagious. Such behaviors turn a mysterious illness into something that feels more controllable. But these anti-social ways of coping may build on preexisting prejudices and blame victims of infection or their care providers unfairly. They undermine the social bonds we’ll need to get through this and can keep us from the things that we know help. Again: Wash your hands. Cover your cough. And wash your hands. —Schoch-Spana, a medical anthropologist, is a senior scholar with the Center for Health Security at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (The school is supported by Michael Bloomberg, founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, parent company of Bloomberg Businessweek.).©2020 Bloomberg L.P."

How We Can Rise to the Coronavirus Challenge

An unfamiliar, invisible threat can make people feel helpless and turn inward just when they most need to reach outward.

NDTV Profit

NDTV Profit

Follow Us

DOWNLOAD THE APP

How We Can Rise to the Coronavirus Challenge

An unfamiliar, invisible threat can make people feel helpless and turn inward just when they most need to reach outward.

Choose a plan

Follow Us

DOWNLOAD THE APP